Jakarta, CNN Indonesia — In a transformative step toward equitable educational infrastructure and sustainable development, Pertamina New & Renewable Energy (Pertamina NRE) has officially handed over an integrated clean energy, water, and sanitation facility to SDN 091686 Gunung Bayu, located in the Bosar Maligas Subdistrict of Simalungun Regency, North Sumatra. The handover ceremony, which took place on Thursday, September 24, marks a monumental milestone for the rural educational institution, which had endured nearly a decade and a half without reliable access to basic utility services.
The intervention is a core component of the Sekolah Energi Berdikari (SEB) initiative, a flagship corporate social responsibility program spearheaded by Pertamina NRE. Designed to champion the energy transition at the grassroots level, the SEB program marries renewable energy deployment with vital community infrastructure, ensuring that remote and underserved regions reap the direct dividends of Indonesia’s transition toward green energy.
Addressing Decades of Infrastructure Deficits
For the 85 students and 15 teachers at SDN 091686 Gunung Bayu, the arrival of Pertamina NRE represents a dramatic turning point in their daily academic lives. Prior to this intervention, the school operated under severe logistical constraints. Most notably, the institution had lacked a stable source of clean water for approximately 15 years, forcing students and staff to navigate an environment devoid of basic health and hygiene necessities. Furthermore, the absence of a reliable electricity grid connection severely hampered educational activities, limiting classroom innovation, stalling administrative workflows, and rendering the school’s rudimentary restroom facilities completely unusable.
To comprehensively address these compounding challenges, Pertamina NRE engineered a multi-faceted infrastructure package tailored to the school’s specific geographic and environmental needs. The centerpiece of the project is the installation of a 2.8 kWp (kilowatt-peak) rooftop Solar Power Plant (PLTS) outfitted with a 5 kWh battery storage system. This off-grid photovoltaic configuration provides a consistent, self-sustaining electricity supply to power the school’s newly drilled deep groundwater well, while simultaneously illuminating classrooms and administrative spaces. In tandem with the energy installation, the company executed a comprehensive renovation of the school’s dilapidated toilets, transforming them into functional, hygienic sanitation facilities.
The symbolic handover ceremony was conducted by Senior Officer of Pertamina NRE, Arief Mulizar, who formally transferred the assets to the Principal of SDN 091686 Gunung Bayu, Jelita Tampubolon. During the event, stakeholders underscored the profound operational transformation the school is poised to experience.
Measurable Socio-Economic and Environmental Impact
The deployment of the Sekolah Energi Berdikari program at SDN 091686 Gunung Bayu is backed by projected operational efficiencies and environmental metrics that underscore the viability of decentralized renewable energy systems in rural Indonesia. According to data released by Pertamina NRE, the 2.8 kWp solar installation is projected to generate annual electricity cost savings of approximately Rp5.182 million. For a rural school operating on a modest operational budget, these fiscal savings can be reallocated toward enhancing academic quality, purchasing learning materials, or supporting student development programs.
Beyond the immediate financial relief, the green energy transition yields tangible ecological benefits. The solar array is estimated to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 3,192 kilograms of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) per year. This reduction aligns with national and corporate decarbonization targets, demonstrating to the student body the practical application and environmental stewardship associated with clean energy technologies.
Arief Mulizar emphasized that the initiative is structured to deliver multifaceted value. "The SEB program at SDN 091686 Gunung Bayu directly improves the welfare of 85 students and 15 teachers. By integrating solar power with clean water access and sanitation, we are addressing foundational human needs while simultaneously instilling an early understanding of renewable energy systems within the educational ecosystem," Arief stated in an official release on Saturday, September 26.
Voices from the Ground: Gratitude and Relief
The impact of the infrastructure upgrade was met with profound emotional relief and gratitude from the school administration and local community leaders. Principal Jelita Tampubolon recounted the immense hurdles the school faced over the past fifteen years, noting that the absence of water and electricity fundamentally compromised the teaching and learning experience.
"With the presence of the solar power plant and the deep well provided by Pertamina, we can now finally utilize electricity and secure a reliable water source for the entire school community," Jelita remarked with visible emotion. She added that the complete overhaul of the school’s restrooms—which had long been abandoned due to structural damage—restored dignity and basic hygiene standards for both students and faculty. "We extend our deepest gratitude to Pertamina NRE for this life-changing assistance. This intervention has delivered a tangible, positive transformation to our daily teaching and learning activities."
Echoing these sentiments, the Head of Gunung Bayu Village, Ismail Hutasulut, voiced his strong appreciation for the corporate intervention. He highlighted the importance of sustained partnerships between energy enterprises and rural administrations to bridge infrastructural divides.
"We express our utmost gratitude to Pertamina NRE for their profound attention and assistance directed toward our local school," Ismail said. He further expressed hope that the cooperative relationship would endure, paving the way for similar interventions in other neighboring educational institutions that remain trapped in infrastructural neglect. "We hope this relationship continues to flourish so that in the future, other schools in our region that are still in dire need can also receive this vital attention."
Capacity Building and Sustainability Framework
A critical dimension of the Sekolah Energi Berdikari program is its emphasis on long-term sustainability and local ownership. Recognizing that infrastructural hardware alone is insufficient to guarantee enduring success, Pertamina NRE embedded a comprehensive capacity-building component into the project rollout.
Alongside the physical installation of the solar PV off-grid system, technical teams from Pertamina NRE conducted intensive educational workshops for the school’s teachers, staff, and student representatives. The curriculum covered the fundamental mechanics of solar energy harvesting, daily operational guidelines for the off-grid system, and routine maintenance protocols.
This educational outreach is specifically designed to empower the school community to independently manage, troubleshoot, and preserve the assets over their operational lifecycle. By demystifying the technology and fostering technical literacy at the primary school level, Pertamina NRE aims to prevent premature equipment degradation and ensure that the community remains self-reliant in maintaining their newfound energy independence.
Corporate Strategy and Broader Implications
Speaking from the corporate headquarters, Manager Corporate Communication & Stakeholder Relation of Pertamina NRE, Susanto August Satria, contextualized the initiative within the company’s broader strategic vision. He reiterated that the SEB program is not merely a philanthropic gesture, but a strategic manifestation of Pertamina NRE’s commitment to embedding sustainability into the social fabric of regions intersecting with its operational footprint.
"Pertamina NRE is steadfastly committed to delivering the benefits of new and renewable energy in a manner that can be directly experienced by the community," Satria explained. "Through the Sekolah Energi Berdikari initiative, we go beyond the mere deployment of clean energy infrastructure. We actively ensure that the recipient communities are equipped with the knowledge and capability to utilize and safeguard these assets sustainably."
The integration of solar power, clean water, and sanitation at SDN 091686 Gunung Bayu serves as a micro-level case study for Indonesia’s broader energy transition narrative. As the archipelago nation accelerates its push toward net-zero emissions, decentralized renewable energy models deployed in remote educational settings demonstrate how climate action and social equity can be pursued simultaneously. By alleviating basic infrastructural deficits through green technology, initiatives like SEB lay a robust foundation for human capital development, proving that the energy transition is not an exclusive urban luxury, but an inclusive national imperative capable of empowering the most remote corners of the country.
