Development of Indonesian Biomass Energy

Jakarta, 27/8/14. Pls. Head of Bappeda East Kalimantan Province, Ir.H. Nazrin, M.Si and Secretary of the East Kalimantan Province Bappeda delivered a presentation ona report on a workshop on the development of biomass-based renewable energy in the forestry sector at the Santikan Hotel, Jakarta, 27/8/14 attended by officials from the Ministry of Forestry, regional representatives of provinces/districts throughout Indonesia (Head of Bappeda, Head of Forestry Service, Regional Council Climate Change), associations, Observers and Practitioners.

In line with economic growth and population growth, energy needs in Indonesia continue to increase. In the last ten years, the average increase in energy demand in Indonesia has increased by around 7%. Fulfilling sustainable energy is thus a challenge for Indonesia considering its relatively limited fossil energy reserves. With a population of around 3.4% of the world's population, Indonesia's proven energy reserves from fossil fuels are far below 3.4%. At the same time, Indonesia actually has extraordinary potential in renewable energy.

Realizing this, the Indonesian government has issued Presidential Regulation no. 5 of 2006 concerning national energy policy (KEN) which targets the use of mixed energy (energy mix) in 2025 where renewable energy (biofuel, geothermal, biomass, nuclear, hydropower, solar and wind power) is expected to contribute to the national energy supply of up to 15 %). The government has also issued Presidential Instruction no. 1 of 2006 to encourage the development of biofuels. The development of alternative energy/renewable energy is seen as a necessity and bioenergy is seen as one of the most promising alternatives.

The development of biomass-based energy from both forests and agricultural waste is one of the most important renewable energy sources currently in the world. Of the world's total energy needs, 10.6 percent is met through the use of biomass (International Energy Agency, 2006).
In Indonesia, biomass is the oldest traditional energy source which is generally used to meet energy needs for cooking in rural areas. Several forestry and agricultural industries also use biomass waste to meet heat needs for production processes. Some also generate electricity.

The use of energy from forest biomass in Indonesia is still relatively limited, despite the large potential it has. Forests can provide biomass as a raw material source for second generation biofuels. Critical forest areas are very large which can be used as a source of raw materials for lignocellulose by combining efforts to provide raw materials with rehabilitation of critical lands. Indonesia's rich forest biodiversity is projected to also produce fruit/seeds, starch and wood with high calorific value. The development of bioenergy from forestry is thus very broad, starting from woodpellets, biodiesel/biokerosene/biothanol to biomethanol.

However, current initiatives are still sporadic and without an adequate value chain analysis process. This is suspected to be because there is no direction/design for developing forest biomass-based energy nationally. Apart from that, there have been no strategic steps across sectors to realize the quite large potential.

To encourage more systematic efforts while encouraging the development of enabling conditions for the development of forest-based bioenergy in Indonesia, the Ministry of Forestry in collaboration with GIZ Forcelime plans to hold a limited discussion to explore experiences, identify challenges and development potential forestry-based biomass energy, identifying enabling conditions and identifying strategic steps that need to be encouraged.

Aim of the Workshop :

1. Building an understanding of the importance of developing forest-based bioenergy in the context of national energy development
2. Learn from the experiences of developing forest-based bioenergy in Indonesia
3. Share research results on the development of forestry-based bioenergy
4. Identifying the potential and challenges of developing forest-based bioenergy in Indonesia
5. Identify enabling conditions and strategic steps that can be taken to encourage the development of forestry-based bioenergy in Indonesia.
6. Contribute to and encourage the preparation of the National Plan for Forest-based Bioenergy Development in Indonesia.

Conclusion of Workshop Results

1. Energy policy (EBT) is able to realize natural energy sovereignty, by involving the central government, regional governments, rural representatives, ministries, business actors and investors as well as accommodation.
2. Energy policy sources (EBT) are able to fulfill primary energy procurement and fulfill the provision of electricity generation capacity and per capita electricity utilization.
3. The target is renewable energy channels (23%), gas (22%), oil (25%), coal (30%) for 2025, while for 2050 it is hoped that renewable energy (35%), gas (24%), oil (20%) and coal (25%).
4. Energy consumption is not distributed evenly because the majority is concentrated on the island of Java. Outside of Java there is scarcity and higher value and there is an imbalance in portions between urban and rural areas.
5. Sources of recipients from the energy sector from mineral resources take portion I Rp. 295 Trillion (33%) total state revenue of 894.9 trillion.
6. Energy security is a serious problem so there is a need for solutions that can be an alternative by emphasizing Catur Dharma Energi which includes:
- Increasing Oil and Gas Production
- reducing the use of fuel exports and imports.
- encouraging mass sector development EBT, and
- national energy savings
7. Solutions and alternatives that need to be reduced by the government are:
- optimizing NRE natural resources such as forestry (wood waste and palm kernel shells, wind, water) agriculture and plantations.
- Carrying out the fermentation of municipal waste, metal , co2, dry and liquid compost.
- fermented water hyacinth, wood pellets.

(Public Relations of Bappeda of East Kalimantan Province/Sukandar, S.Sos).