Donoharjo Village in Sleman, Yogyakarta, has been selected by Sobat Bumi Jogja, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), and Pertamina Indonesia to pioneer the Self-Reliant Energy Village (DEB) Program.
This program, spearheaded by Sobat Bumi UGM, is themed “Empowering the Community of Donoharjo Village, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Towards Realizing a Self-Reliant and Sustainable Energy Village, Focusing on the Energy, Economic, and Educational Sectors.”
Embracing an integrated approach to economics, energy, and education, the program is designed to fortify Donoharjo Village’s self-reliance, aiming to alleviate poverty by fostering sustainable renewable energy adoption at the village level.
It also aligns with global commitments outlined in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 on clean and affordable energy and SDG 13 on climate action.
The UGM team installed Solar Power Plants (PLTS) and Fixed-Dome Biogas to materialize these aspirations from December 2023 to January 2024. The Solar Power Plant (PLTS) installation was executed at Omah Joglo Tanjung, a communal hub for periodic community art events and village tourism.
Omah Joglo Tanjung, steeped in history spanning over 200 years, stands as a cultural heritage site. With the PLTS installation, solar energy from the PLTS solar panels now powers the lights and well water pumps at Omah Joglo, replacing conventional electricity.
Moreover, this successful installation is anticipated to curtail CO2 emissions by 1,550 kg CO2 annually and save electricity costs by Rp1,828,575 per year.
Shoim Mardiyah, the mentor of the UGM DEB program, emphasized the pivotal role of constructing Fixed-Dome Biogas in diversifying renewable energy sources within Donoharjo Village. This choice was made due to the substantial presence of livestock groups, offering the potential for repurposing existing livestock waste.
The dome’s design is tailored to accommodate waste volumes of up to 10 m3, requiring an estimated 60–80 kg/day of cattle manure or its equivalent from 4–6 adult cattle. This setup is projected to produce approximately 3 kg of LPG equivalent per day.
“In addition, this dome technology has the potential to diminish livestock waste by up to 27 tons annually, resulting in a reduction of 140 kg CO2 emissions per year,” Mardiyah stated.
Yet, the focus extends beyond installation and construction; sustainability is paramount. The UGM team has embarked on comprehensive community-wide introduction efforts in Donoharjo Village, particularly within Banteran Hamlet.
On Monday (Jan. 29), the UGM team conducted a DEB Program Introduction event to furnish residents of Donoharjo Village with fundamental insights into the benefits, mechanics, and upkeep of the two novel renewable energy installations.
Building upon these foundational activities, the UGM team orchestrated the Bancakan Donoharjo event on Saturday (Feb. 3), marking the inauguration of the UGM Self-Reliant Energy Village.
Themed “Small Steps in Energy Towards Self-Reliant Donoharjo,” the inauguration transpired at Omah Joglo Tanjung, Donoharjo Village, drawing participation from various stakeholders, including the Pertamina Foundation, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Donoharjo Village officials, and residents alike.
The Bancakan Donoharjo event commenced with a community exercise attended by over 80 individuals. A captivating Gamelan Donoharjo performance and the official inauguration ceremony followed this.
Subsequently, cultural showcases such as the Pekbung Dance ensued, complemented by an educational discourse on the Self-Reliant Energy Village themed “Community-Based Energy Transition,” delivered by Derajad Sulistyo Widhyharto and moderated by Felix Arion, the Head of the UGM DEB Team.
Donoharjo Village was chosen as the DEB Program site due to several developmental challenges, primarily linked to poverty.
This is evidenced by the data, which indicates that approximately 7.4 percent of the population, or around 967 individuals, reside below the poverty line, with 25.2 percent, or around 3,271 individuals, classified as vulnerable to poverty.
Further signs of economic hardship manifest in the micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) sector, agriculture, animal husbandry, and plantations, which have yet to reach their full potential due to insufficient support.
From an infrastructure perspective, inadequate government facilities, deteriorating village roads, and deficient household waste management practices underscore the prevailing challenges.
However, it is undeniable that Donoharjo Village harbors untapped potential that could fuel community empowerment initiatives.
This potential is evident through the presence of 16 farmer groups, comprising 1,412 individuals engaged in agriculture, fisheries, plantations, and animal husbandry, forming the community’s economic backbone.
Regarding assets, Donoharjo Village boasts village fund lands, the Jetis Suruh Reservoir, and a tourism village. Moreover, from a socio-cultural perspective, the village teems with cultural activities such as Jatilan, Calung, batik making, and Nyadran.
These facets likely factored into Donoharjo Village’s selection by Sobat Bumi Jogja, Universitas Gadjah Mada, and Pertamina Indonesia as the DEB Program implementation site.
Author: Agung Nugroho
Photo: JADESTA