Photo: South Papua Governor (fourth from the right), Merauke Regent, and Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE) Group CEO posed with state officials and company executives after a plaque signing marking the launch of TSE Group’s renewable energy plant on Friday (8/1/2025) in Merauke Regency, South Papua Province
MERAUKE – Berkat Cipta Abadi (BCA), subsidiary of oil palm plantation and processing giant Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE) Group, launched a biogas and compressed biomethane gas plant in Papua.
The first of its kind in the region, this facility was inaugurated Friday (8/1/2025) in a ceremony titled “Green Power, Born from Waste” attended by South Papua Governor Apolo Safanpo, Merauke Regent Yoseph B. Gebze, South Papua’s Papua’s People Assembly Chairman Damianus Katayu, Merauke’s Regional People’s Representative Council members, Merauke Departmental Police Force leader Leonardo Yoga, and other local state officials.
“What we’re launching today is the product of our vision at TSE Group. We’re aiming to build an efficient, advanced industry that’s also sustainable, environmentally safe, and community-oriented,” said TSE Group’s CEO Robert Seung in his opening speech.
The integrated power plant will help TSE Group manage their production waste better and create a practical energy solution. It also marks an important milestone in the company’s journey toward its vision and net-zero emissions.
Photo: TSE Group’s biogas technicians showed guests how the biogas and compressed biomethane gas (CBG) plants work
South Papua Governor Apolo Safanpo showed his support, saying the biogas plant aligns with state plans to achieve food and energy independence.
“It’s a good start [to food and energy independence]. Thank you, TSE Group, for initiating biogas development in Papua. I hope this site sets an example for regions outside Merauke Regency.”
Similar praises were echoed by Merauke Regent Yoseph B. Gebze.
“[On behalf of] the Merauke government and people, we want to congratulate [TSE Group] for the launch. We hope this renewable energy facility propels a region-wide shift towards eco-friendly developments.”
The biogas and compressed biomethane gas (CBG) plant will convert 1,000 m³ of palm oil mill effluent (POME) into methane daily with most of the output providing environmentally-friendly electricity for BCA’s factories and administrative buildings.
Photo: Papua’s first POME-to-energy plant launched on Friday (8/1/2025)
The remaining gas will be compressed and used to fuel electricity generators in some parts of the operational site. This way, diesel consumption can be further reduced by 1 million liters per year, ensuring greater energy efficiency across TSE Group offices.
BCA expects to benefit from annual cuts in emissions reaching 60,708 tons, power supply of 2 megawatts for its 150-tons-per-day palm kernel crushing plant, and annual diesel reduction of 4 million liters.
The launch on Friday also opened a new chapter in POME-based energy adoption and public-private collaboration supporting Indonesia’s carbon-slashing NDC commitment. This commitment aligns with the Paris Agreement’s goals to limit global warming below 2°C.
Similar facilities will be built in five other locations belonging to TSE Group subsidiaries. In the meantime, the corporation will expand its green initiatives; e.g. EV, solar energy, and eco-friendly fertilizer use in its operations. TSE Group believes its efforts would encourage more palm oil players to achieve end-to-end sustainability and bring a better future for all. (PR)
