JAYAPURA: The Jayapura municipality has signed a memorandum of understanding with Cenderawasih University, Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to develop a solar power generating system.
The first phase of the project is the use of a solar power generating system on the municipality’s Otonom Building, as part of a drive to reduce gas emissions.
The project is part of an annual subsidy provided by the Dutch government to develop projects in Indonesia aimed at improving education, knowledge transfer, research and networking.
Jayapura Environmental Agency head Thamrin Sagala said the solar cells, with an investment of Rp 1.5 billion (about US$176,000), would produce 50 kilowatts, enough to meet the current power requirements at the Jayapura municipal office.
“By using solar cells, we can save more than 5,436 liters of diesel fuel daily, or 10,927 kg of coal daily, and save up to Rp 47.5 million per year with the assumption of Rp 885/ per kilowatt hour (kWh). So, the Jayapura Environmental Agency’s goal is to minimize pollution by reducing 70 tons of carbon dioxide annually by using solar energy,” he said.
ITB vice rector Wawan Gunawan A. Kadir said the solar cell project at the Jayapura municipal office was part of a pilot project as well as serving the research center for technical students at Cenderawasih University and other higher learning institutes in Papua and across the country