A Renewable Future

Tapping sustainable sources of power to meet the growing demand for electricity in Indonesia.

By Asian Development Bank

December 17^th, 2015

“With an abundance of almost every renewable energy source — including 40 percent of the world’s geothermal reserves — Indonesia can be a global clean energy leader. By tapping this stockpile, it can also avert a looming energy crisis and realize its huge economic potential.”

- Bambang Susantono, ADB Vice-President for Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development

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Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago. It is also one of the most vulnerabl to climate change.

The demand for electricity in Indonesia is growing. An expanding population needs power at home and to drive the economy to create employment and reduce poverty.

With environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation and adaptation in mind, the Indonesian government is working together with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other partners to step up the country’s energy supply.

To supply the electricity needed, the Renewable Energy Development Sector Project is tapping the vast potential of Indonesia’s renewable resources.

Indonesia has 40% of the world's geothermal energy reserves.

A mini-hydro power plant in Gorontalo, Indonesia.

Solar farms are powering isolated islands in Indonesia.

HARNESSING THE EARTH’S POWER

Geothermal energy is extracted from the heat deep within the earth. Countries on the edge of tectonic plates like Indonesia, now tap into this resource to produce electricity. It is cost effective, reliable, and environmentally friendly.

The Lahendong geothrmal plant supplies much needed power to the Minahasa grid in Indonesia.

In Manado, Indonesia, the ADB has funded the Lahendong II and IV Geothermal Power Plant. An eco-friendly power plant with a minuscule carbon footprint.

ADB is supporting the construction of other geothermal plants around Indonesia, such as the 320 megawatt Sarulla Geothermal Power Development Project in North Sumatra.

The plant provides both electricity and employment in the area.

Around the plant site, several wells have been drilled two kilometers into the earth’s crust.

Environmentally-friendly steam turns giant turbines providing 60,000 homes with electricity.

Lighting communities with water

In Gorontalo, the Mongango mini-hydropower plant is now powering communities. Generating 1.2 megawatts of electricity, the power plant is run by PLN (Perusahaan Listrik Negara), a government-owned corporation.

Water flowing out of the reservoir of the Mongango mini-hydropower plant.

Giant tubes bring water from the reservoir into the turbines of the Mongango mini-hydropower plant.

1.2 megawatts of electricity are produced by the turbines of the Mongango mini-hydropower plant.

Reliable power has improved the quality of life for local people and promoted development.

Resident and restaurant owner Norma Pontoh, 39, remembers the time before the project. “The brownouts were really affecting the business and made it difficult for my children to study,” she said.

Norma Pontoh, 39, can now operate her restaurant with minimal power interruptions.

Access to electricity has improved the quality of life for many people in Gorontalo.

Around 76,000 new customers are expected to be connected to the power grid.

Powering Indonesia’s Remote Islands with Solar Energy

Access to energy is limited in Indonesia‘s rural areas, especially on remote islands.

On Sumba, one of the remotest and poorest islands of the Indonesian archipelago, an initiative is underway to harness the power of the sun to help the local community.

In partnership with Hivos, a Dutch development organization, and Indonesia‘s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, ADB has been supporting an ambitious program to achieve 100% renewable energy access for Sumba’s 650,000 residents. Known as the Iconic Island Initiative, the program has a ten-year horizon. Progress, however, has already been made.

Sumba is one of the remotest and poorest islands of the Indonesian archipelago.

In the village of Weepatando, a solar energy scheme is powering 36 households for a small monthly fee, less than what the villagers were paying for kerosene. Children in the village can now watch television, study at night, and access computers.

A solar energy scheme is powering 36 households for a small monthly fee, which turned out to be cheaper than paying for kerosene.

Batteries used to store energy from the solar panels.

Children in the village can now watch television and also have access to computers.

A solar pump in the village of Lewa on Sumba Island powers an irrigation system boosting crop yields and, as a consequence, increasing the income of local villagers.

A solar pump is used to power an irrigation system boosting crop yields.

Solar panels used to power an irrigation system in Lewa village.

A sustainanble future

It is hoped that by the year 2020, 90% of Indonesia will have access to electricity, 17% of which will come from renewable sources such as solar, hydropower and geothermal.

By tapping additional energy from renewable sources, businesses can now operate with minimal power interruptions.

Footnotes

Photos by Eric Sales, Ian Taylor, Lester Ledesma, Sean Crowley, and Biggs Javellana

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FootNotes

Photos by Eric Sales, Ian Taylor, Lester Ledesma, Sean Crowley, and Biggs Javellana