Indonesia’s Pertamina sets up energy innovation challenge

Indonesia’s state-owned energy company Pertamina has launched a Rp 500 million ($38,000) innovation competition which targets new and renewable energy technologies and business ideas.

The competition, dubbed ‘Pertamina d’Gil’, runs from December 7, 2016 until March 5, 2017, and is aimed at students, professionals, and companies that can deliver renewable energy concepts.

It is divided into two categories, namely Innovative Business Idea, and Products & Technology Breakthrough.

All winners will receive prizes with a total value of $38,000, according to Pertamina, and the winning idea will be included in Pertamina’s future development activities.

Wianda Pusponegoro, VP of Corporate Communication at Pertamina, said: “This competition is a way and place to explore innovative ideas related to new and renewable energy business through mentoring tools until financing, so it can be transformed into a business that can be developed and implemented as a substitution for conventional energy.”

The competition goes in line with Pertamina’s commitment to develop new and renewable energy in Indonesia as an alternative to meet domestic energy needs in the future, added Pusponegoro, who also revealed Pertamina’s intention to become a technology manufacturer in the renewable energy sector.

The interested parties can submit their ideas through Pertamina’s dedicated website.

To remind, Pertamina and French renewable energy developer Akuo Energy signed a memorandum of understanding back in February 2015 to develop various renewable energy projects in Indonesia, including an ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) plant.

In April this year, the French Agency for Development (AFD) agreed with Akuo and Pertamina to mobilize €1.5 million in order to facilitate the development of up to 200 MW additional renewable energy capacities in Indonesia over the coming years. AFD contributed €500,000 through this joint effort, dedicating it specifically for OTEC technology development.