PGE contributes to food security with geothermal by-product fertiliser

PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk (PGE) has entered into a new era in its efforts to develop business outside of electricity through the utilisation of geothermal by-products

The PGE board of commissioners and directors alongside local farmers carried out initial spray tests of fertiliser made from the by-products (namely Katrili Booster Fertiliser) on rice plants in the Lao-Lao Geothermal Park area in North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

The Katrili Booster, a result of a joint venture between PGE Area Lahendong and the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FT UGM), utilises silica produced from geothermal processes. Silica deposits from geothermal fluids are processed using nanotechnology, producing environmentally friendly and economical liquid fertiliser with the aim of helping farmers around PGE’s operational area provide a solution to the challenge of fertiliser scarcity in the region.

General manager of PGE Area Lahenong, Novi Purwono, said, “This initiative confirms PGE’s commitment to creating sustainable positive impacts through collaboration and community empowerment. We are optimistic that this step can make a significant contribution to national food security and local agricultural development.”

PGE president director, Julfi Hadi, added that the benefits of geothermal are not limited to providing electricity as a clean alternative, but also have potential in supporting other sectors.

“The use of Katrili Booster Fertiliser is concrete evidence that geothermal energy can contribute not only to energy self-sufficiency efforts, but also to strengthen national food security. This is an innovative step that is in line with our commitment to create added value from geothermal energy to support more sustainable and inclusive development in Indonesia.”