InfoSAWIT, PELALAWAN – As part of efforts to draft a roadmap for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, Indonesia's Minister of Environment and Head of the Environmental Control Agency (BPLH), Hanif Faisol, visited PT Musim Mas in Pelalawan Regency, Riau, on Saturday, November 23, 2024.
The visit aimed to observe firsthand the implementation of methane capture technology at PT Musim Mas’ palm oil mill. Minister Hanif Faisol and his delegation were welcomed by PT Musim Mas’ President Director, Gunawan Siregar.
“We are currently developing a roadmap for reducing GHG emissions, particularly methane emissions from the palm oil industry. Here, we observed rigorous waste management practices, including methane utilization for power generation,” Hanif Faisol stated in an official release on Tuesday (November 26, 2024).
Hanif highlighted the significant potential of methane emissions from Indonesia’s palm oil sector. According to studies, crude palm oil (CPO) production in Indonesia generates approximately 900,000 tons of methane annually, equivalent to 35 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).
He emphasized the urgent need to manage methane emissions to enhance Indonesia’s reputation in addressing climate change. The government is currently drafting regulations, including ministerial decrees and BPLH directives, to mandate methane capture technology across the palm oil industry.
“We are engaging with various stakeholders, including international partners, to accelerate methane capture implementation. This initiative will also provide incentives in the form of carbon credits, crucial for building a climate economy,” Hanif added.
PT Musim Mas President Director Gunawan Siregar explained that the company has been a pioneer in adopting methane capture technology. This technology captures methane gas from Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME), which would otherwise be released into the atmosphere during anaerobic digestion.
“The captured methane is used as fuel for power generation, supporting mill operations, plantations, and worker housing. A single methane capture facility with a 1-megawatt capacity can provide electricity to approximately 1,600 rural households,” Gunawan explained.
As of 2023, PT Musim Mas has operated 17 methane capture facilities at its mills, avoiding 539,225 tons of CO2e emissions in 2023—equivalent to the annual emissions of 117,000 passenger vehicles.
PT Musim Mas, part of the Musim Mas Group, is one of the world’s largest integrated palm oil companies. Committed to sustainability, Musim Mas Group has set ambitious GHG emission reduction targets aligned with the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the Paris Agreement, and Indonesia’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).
“This underscores our dedication to supporting global and national climate goals,” Gunawan concluded.
The visit reflects the government’s commitment to sustainable palm oil practices, serving as a model for other industry players. (T2)
