InfoSAWIT, DELI SERDANG – Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, the Minister of Environment and Head of the Indonesian Environmental Control Agency (BPLH), emphasized the importance of managing Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) as a significant step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This statement was made during his visit to the Biogas Power Plant operated by PTPN in collaboration with Pertamina in Pagar Merbau, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, at the end of 2024.

During the visit, Hanif revealed that the waste sector holds substantial potential in supporting Indonesia's global emission reduction targets. "If we can meet our target with 36 million tons of CO2 equivalent, we can fulfill our promise to the world to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the waste sector. By controlling POME, we can tap into its significant capacity," he stated, as reported by InfoSAWIT on Palmco's official Instagram on March 9, 2025.

He also noted that optimal POME management could serve as a strategy to counter negative campaigns against Indonesia's palm oil industry, which are often propagated internationally. "This effort can also be a tool to counter the black campaigns against palm oil that are frequently played by foreign parties," he added.

The Biogas Power Plant in Pagar Merbau exemplifies the implementation of palm waste utilization for renewable energy production. By converting POME into biogas, the plant generates electricity that not only reduces carbon emissions but also provides economic benefits to the industry and surrounding communities.

The government continues to encourage the palm oil industry to adopt environmentally friendly technologies to enhance the sustainability of the national palm oil sector. In addition to mitigating environmental impacts, this strategy strengthens Indonesia's position in facing various international challenges and regulations related to carbon emissions and the sustainability of the palm oil industry. (T2)