Ahmad Adi Suhendra
Officer I CSR & SMEPP Management
PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional
Ahmad Adi Suhendra is Officer I CSR & SMEPP at PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional. He develops community empowerment programs, fosters multi-stakeholder partnerships, and conducts impact assessments. His work enhances waste management, supports SMEs, and promotes renewable energy. Recognized internationally, he bring the 2023 Social Responsibility Champion from World Petroleum Council Excellence Awards. His programs deliver measurable benefits for inclusive community development.
Participates in
TECHNICAL PROGRAMME | Energy Leadership
Energy Access for All
Forum 25 | Digital Poster Plaza 5
27
April
15:30
17:30
UTC+3
Energy is essential for humans globally, facilitating daily activities. Conversely, many rural communities in South Sumatra Province, Indonesia, still lack access to reliable and affordable energy sources due to accessibility constraints. It forces reliance on costly, polluting, and inefficient energy sources such as firewood, kerosene, and diesel generators. To address this challenge, Pertamina RU III—Indonesia’s oldest and most reputable state-owned oil refinery—pioneered the Independent Energy Village program as CSR Program under the campaign "Lighting More Hopes", providing scalable approaches to decentralized renewable energy while empowering rural communities through sustainable solutions.
The program focuses on remote, hard-to-reach areas—mountainous and coastal villages inaccessible to the conventional public electricity grid—leveraging local natural resources, including high-pressure water flows and abundant sunlight. Since 2017, The company has implemented micro-hydro power plants (MHPPs) and solar panels, beginning with a 10 kWh MHPP in Merbau Village, which ended 72 years of energy deprivation. By 2024, the initiatives have expanded to six additional villages, installing a cumulative 67 kWh of MHPPs and 12.6 kWp of solar panels. These hybrid systems incorporate smart power stabilizers, real-time energy monitoring, and battery storage that ensure reliability, low maintenance, and ease of operation in challenging environments.
What distinguishes this initiative is its holistic community empowerment framework, which extends beyond infrastructure. Key to the program’s success is its community ownership model, built through capacity-building initiatives. Local groups were trained to operate and maintain systems, collect fees, manage costs, and report performance. Collaborations with local governments, universities, and media ensure regulatory compliance, technical assistance, and public awareness. This multi-stakeholder approach enhances sustainability and scalability, aligning with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), energy transition agenda, and Pertamina’s net-zero 2060 target.
The program’s impact spans four sustainability dimensions: Environmental – Reduced fossil fuel dependence, reduced emissions by 472 tons of CO₂/year (equivalent to planting 65 trees), and boosting eco-awareness. Economic – Saved IDR 600 million/year in electricity costs while enhancing productivity for 17 micro-enterprises, particularly in fisheries and coffee processing, through electricity-driven tools. Social – Provided electricity access to 634 households (2,536 people) and strengthened community cohesion. Well-being – Improved health from reduced pollution, extended children study hours at night, and upskilled 8 community groups in technical management.
This successful program has gained national and global recognition as a blueprint for sustainable rural electrification. As a catalyst for comprehensive rural development, The company will expand to more villages, reinforcing its commitment to shared value creation and ESG excellence. By integrating renewable energy with community empowerment, it demonstrates how oil and gas companies can pioneer equitable and inclusive energy transitions.
Co-author/s:
Siti Rachmi Indahsari, Area Manager Communication, Relations, & CSR, PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional Refinery Unit III Plaju.
Perliansyah Sukardi, Officer II Communication, Relations, & Compliance, PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional Refinery Unit III Plaju.
The program focuses on remote, hard-to-reach areas—mountainous and coastal villages inaccessible to the conventional public electricity grid—leveraging local natural resources, including high-pressure water flows and abundant sunlight. Since 2017, The company has implemented micro-hydro power plants (MHPPs) and solar panels, beginning with a 10 kWh MHPP in Merbau Village, which ended 72 years of energy deprivation. By 2024, the initiatives have expanded to six additional villages, installing a cumulative 67 kWh of MHPPs and 12.6 kWp of solar panels. These hybrid systems incorporate smart power stabilizers, real-time energy monitoring, and battery storage that ensure reliability, low maintenance, and ease of operation in challenging environments.
What distinguishes this initiative is its holistic community empowerment framework, which extends beyond infrastructure. Key to the program’s success is its community ownership model, built through capacity-building initiatives. Local groups were trained to operate and maintain systems, collect fees, manage costs, and report performance. Collaborations with local governments, universities, and media ensure regulatory compliance, technical assistance, and public awareness. This multi-stakeholder approach enhances sustainability and scalability, aligning with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), energy transition agenda, and Pertamina’s net-zero 2060 target.
The program’s impact spans four sustainability dimensions: Environmental – Reduced fossil fuel dependence, reduced emissions by 472 tons of CO₂/year (equivalent to planting 65 trees), and boosting eco-awareness. Economic – Saved IDR 600 million/year in electricity costs while enhancing productivity for 17 micro-enterprises, particularly in fisheries and coffee processing, through electricity-driven tools. Social – Provided electricity access to 634 households (2,536 people) and strengthened community cohesion. Well-being – Improved health from reduced pollution, extended children study hours at night, and upskilled 8 community groups in technical management.
This successful program has gained national and global recognition as a blueprint for sustainable rural electrification. As a catalyst for comprehensive rural development, The company will expand to more villages, reinforcing its commitment to shared value creation and ESG excellence. By integrating renewable energy with community empowerment, it demonstrates how oil and gas companies can pioneer equitable and inclusive energy transitions.
Co-author/s:
Siti Rachmi Indahsari, Area Manager Communication, Relations, & CSR, PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional Refinery Unit III Plaju.
Perliansyah Sukardi, Officer II Communication, Relations, & Compliance, PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional Refinery Unit III Plaju.
