News and Insight

As the world accelerates toward a net-zero future, Indonesia stands at the crossroads of rapid development and environmental responsibility. Among the nation’s diverse renewable resources, biomass plays a pivotal role — transforming agricultural residues and plantation by-products into sustainable energy.

For APREBI (Indonesian Biomass Energy Producers Association), this commitment goes beyond technology and trade. It embodies a national vision: to promote renewable biomass as a key contributor to Indonesia’s clean energy transition and to ensure responsible production that balances economic growth with environmental stewardship.

1. Biomass and Indonesia’s Renewable Energy Future

Indonesia’s vast agricultural and forestry base provides abundant raw materials for biomass energy: palm kernel shells (PKS), wood waste, empty fruit bunches, rice husks, and other residues. Harnessing these resources can significantly reduce dependence on fossil fuels and open up new export opportunities.

Biomass offers multiple advantages:

• Converts organic waste into a productive energy source.
• Provides distributed energy access in rural and agro-industrial regions.
• Supports base-load and dispatchable renewable energy generation.

Policy research has highlighted that biomass aligns strongly with Indonesia’s long-term energy roadmap — contributing to energy security, rural employment, and carbon reduction. With government incentives such as feed-in tariffs and green investment frameworks, the biomass industry is positioned to expand sustainably in the coming decade.

2. Responsible Production Practices

Sustainability must be embedded at every stage of biomass development. For APREBI members, responsible production means:

1. Sustainable Feedstock Sourcing
   Biomass should primarily come from waste streams and residues, not through deforestation or conversion of high-carbon ecosystems. Supply chains must remain transparent and traceable to ensure ethical sourcing and community respect.
2. Carbon Accountability
   Although biomass is often considered carbon-neutral, real-world results depend on land-use change, logistics, and conversion efficiency. Responsible producers must measure and minimise life-cycle emissions using verified methodologies.
3. Environmental and Social Safeguards
   No sustainability claim is complete without protecting biodiversity, preventing peatland clearance, and respecting community rights. Biomass projects should create shared local value — providing jobs, infrastructure, and skill development.
4. Operational Efficiency and Circularity
   Innovation in biomass conversion — from advanced pellet production to co-firing and biochar — can dramatically improve energy yield and reduce waste. Integrating circular economy principles ensures that every stage of biomass utilisation supports a regenerative system.

3. Balancing Growth and Conservation

APREBI believes that economic progress and environmental preservation can reinforce each other, not compete.

Economic Growth Potential:
The biomass sector supports thousands of rural jobs, generates export revenue, and encourages investment in renewable infrastructure. It also diversifies Indonesia’s energy mix and reduces volatility from fossil fuel imports.

Conservation Imperative:
Without safeguards, biomass expansion can risk deforestation, peat degradation, and biodiversity loss. By enforcing sustainable sourcing, transparency, and certification, APREBI seeks to ensure that industrial growth strengthens — not harms — Indonesia’s natural capital.

Long-Term Sustainability:
True sustainability means longevity. A responsible biomass ecosystem must remain viable beyond subsidies, grounded in innovation, environmental balance, and equitable benefits for all stakeholders.

4. APREBI’s Strategic Path Forward

To realize this vision, APREBI is taking a structured, data-driven, and collaborative approach:

1. Sustainability Charter for Members — Establishes clear environmental and social standards, covering feedstock sourcing, emissions tracking, and audit transparency.
2. Biomass Market Intelligence Hub — Collects verified data on biomass prices, trade, and sustainability compliance to guide members and policymakers.
3. Partnerships for Innovation — Works with universities, R&D centers, and green technology providers to pilot new biomass applications and circular-economy models.
4. Government Engagement & Policy Dialogue — Represents the industry in regulatory discussions to advocate for fair, sustainable energy policies.
5. Public Communication & Education — Promotes awareness among communities and stakeholders about the environmental and economic value of sustainable biomass.

5. Measuring Impact

To ensure accountability, APREBI encourages members to track and report progress through quantifiable indicators:

• Volume of sustainably sourced biomass feedstock (tons/year)
• Renewable energy output (GWh) from biomass installations
• CO₂ equivalent emissions avoided compared to fossil baselines
• Number of jobs created in local supply chains
• Verified compliance with environmental and social standards

These metrics provide not only transparency but also tangible proof that the biomass sector contributes to Indonesia’s sustainable development goals.

Conclusion

Biomass is not just a renewable energy option — it’s a national opportunity. By merging technological innovation with environmental responsibility, Indonesia can lead Asia’s transition toward a green energy economy.

APREBI’s focus on sustainability and green energy ensures that this transformation benefits the planet as much as it benefits people. Through data, collaboration, and ethical growth, APREBI envisions a future where biomass powers Indonesia’s progress — sustainably, inclusively, and responsibly.

References

1. https://www.eria.org/research/forecast-of-biomass-demand-potential-in-indonesia-seeking-a-business-model-for-wood-pellets
2. https://penerbit.brin.go.id/press/catalog/download/562/477/11498
3. https://jisea.universitaspertamina.ac.id/index.php/jisea/article/download/495/62/1071
4. https://renewableenergy.id/a-trade-off-between-nature-conservation-and-energy-production-is-biomass-the-new-coal
5. https://jurnal-puslitbangpln.id/index.php/jtpeep/article/download/124/49
6. https://mebi.or.id/