Where there's a will there's a way. That's certainly the belief of Didit Haryo Wicaksono, a Climate and Energy Campaigner for Greenpeace Indonesia when it comes to alternative energy.

In a recent report in Bisnis, Didit explained that Bali could become an energy sustainable province and that 65% of all New and Renewable Energy (EBT) potential was in the North.

If this is true it begs the question, why isn't more being done to make this a reality? It seems political will and regulations are largely to blame.

The National Director of the Center for Energy Research Asia (CERA), Adhityani Putri, told Bisnis that six locations had been identified to help break the dependence on using coal to make electricity. These are in Bayuwedang Buleleng, Seririt Buleleng, Batukaru Tabanan, Penebel Tabanan, Buyan Beratan, and Kintamani Batur all of which are in line with the national Electric Power Supply Design (RUPTL) 2018-2027, which allows making use of Gas Power Plants (PLTG).

Didit argues that Bali is actually in an energy surplus condition. The highest electricity usage in Bali was in October 2016, he said, and then it reached 850 MW. Bali's current potential is 1,200 MW of electricity and if all six of North Bali's gas powered plants came on line there would be an additional 356 MW. 

On an island blessed with a very consistent 12 hours of sunshine a day throughout the year, it would make sense to be using more solar panels. But it seems importing them is limited by regulations, which make them prohibitively expensive. These regulations also say that 40% of the components must be made in Indonesia and as the country currently lacks a qualified manufacturer, this is likely to continue to be a hurdle in the near future.

However, Rambu Energy reported Deputy Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources, Arcandra Tahar saying at the Coaltrans Conference in Nusa Dua recently that despite an expected rise of almost 33% in investment in the energy sector this year, including renewable alternatives, "coal remains important as a source of energy until 2050.” He went on to say Indonesia expects to raise coal supplies to the domestic market, and has no plans to restrict exports of coal. The recent domestic market obligation (DMO) policy is simply aiming at assuring electricity is accessible and affordable to the people.

Sources: Bisnis, Rambu Energy

Similar to this:

Indonesia committed to green development

Environmental audits planned for hotels in Badung

Does a new governor mean a new direction for Bali?