Trenddjakarta.com – Representatives from stakeholder from the government element, private sector, development organization, social community organization, academicians, and practitioners of renewable energy attended the National Learning Event ‘Terangi Nusantara’ in Upper Room, Annex Building to share success stories and lessons on the best practices in terms of utilization of renewable energy among rural communities, especially in East Nusa Tenggara Province, West Nusa Tenggara, and South Sulawesi. It is expected that this event will be an inspiration for Indonesia and also to improve multiparty collaboration in dealing with challenges and exploring the investment opportunities in small scale renewable energy in remote areas.
Through National Energy Policy (KEN), the Government of Indonesia has committed to maximize the utilization of Renewable Energy (RE) in conjunction with achieving the 23 percent target by 2025. To support the Government’s commitment, Hivos collaborates with numerous partners in the implementation of TERANG (Investing in Renewable Energy for Rural, Remote Communities) program in terms of the Renewable Energy acquisition.
At the end of 2017, this program has provided access to electricity to 26 districts in East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, nd South Sulawesi. Through TERANG Project, as many as 5,079 household has switch to the utilization of renewable energy. 25 schools have been supplied by renewable energy, 60.68 KW of electricity has been generated by solar PV, and electrification ratio of Sumba Iconic Island in East Nusa Tenggara has increased from 24.5 percent (2010) to 42.67 percent (2017).
In line with the endeavors of countries to name an economy which is friendlier toward the climate, many have reduced the total electricity generated by fossil fuel. For years, RE has been considered as high- risk investment due to its unpredictable source of energy. However, technology development in reducing the emission of greenhouse gases and the impact of climate changes have steadily attracted the interests in RE sector.
The Regional Director of HIVOS Southeast Asia, Biranchi Upadhyaya, emphasizes the importance of renewable energy in the development. “Collaborative project such as TERANG holds important roles in expanding the coverage of renewable energy as well as reaching the community in remote villages, as well as improving their livelihoods through the utilization.”
That is the reason why acceleration process should be inclusive and accessible by all level of society. From the national scope, as of today, there are 1.2 billion people who have access to connectivity and main grid since 2000, in which 80 percent of them have gained access through connection to the main grid. Majority of this main grid generate the power through fossil fuel (45 percent coals, 19 percent gas, and 7 percent of them from oil).
In September 2017, the electrification ratio in Indonesia has been 93.08 percent in which almost the electrification ratio in all regions from Aceh to Sulawesi on the average is above 70 percent. Meanwhile, in East Nusa Tenggara, the electrification ratio is only 58.99 percent and in Papua the ratio of electricity security is only 48.91 percent.
These facts suggest that energy services in Indonesia are not yet inclusive. “One of the lesson from Sumba is the importance of collaboration and partnership among various stakeholders to generate inclusive energy. We cannot fulfill the need of the people by simply relying on Solar Home System and grid connectivity. Solar-powered water pump requires different funding strategy, so is biogas installation. “The efforts to embrace various agencies and national as well international financial institutions must be carried on in order to reach out more remote areas,” Eco Matser, the Hivos Coordinator of Climate Changes, Energy, and Development stated.
Data of Indonesian Clean Stove Initiative in 2016 suggest that 40 percent (approximately 24.5 million people) of Indonesian population still rely on traditional biomass for their cooking purposes. It means that access to sufficient, reliable, and clean energy access has not been available to all level of society.
“The size of the challenges and the magnitude of the target which has to be attained demand our serious attention and commitment. Funding for the construction of on-grid and off-grid power generation facilities are expected from the state-owned enterprises (PLN), regional-owned enterprise, private sector, NGO, Donor organization, and government budget both at national and provincial levels,” Rida Mulyana, the Director General of New, Renewable Energy and Conservation of Energy from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources quoted from his speech during the opening of Sumba Investment Forum for the implementation of Sumba Iconic Island Program. “Smart-grid technology may be one of the solution to achieve the 95% target of electrification ratio as well as maximum utilization of Renewable Energy to light up Indonesia.”
The learning event comprises two plenary sessions, discussion session, and photo exhibition by Anton Ismael, the public documentary on those have the access to energy and experience life transformation.
A glimpse about Hivos, as the international humanitarian development organization which seeks new solution for global issues which continue with smart program at the right place. Hivos is against all forms of discrimination, inequality and abuse, as well as the utilization of non-sustainable sources of energy. The primary focus of Hivos is to realize a structural transformation. That is why Hivos establishes collaboration with innovative businesses, community, and organizations. Hivos shares the dream with those to embody sustainable economy and inclusive society. Hivos operates in 26 low and middle-income countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Middle East. Hivos operates at local, regional, as well as global levels.
About TERANG Project
On December 15, 2015, Hivos signed a mutual agreement with Millenium Challenge Account-Indonesia to support access enhancement to renewable energy through TERANG Project, which is a combination of two Hivos major programs in renewable energy namely Domestic Biogas Program (BIRU) and Sumba Iconic Island Program (SII). The purpose of BIRU Program is to develop sustainable and independent biogas sector, and at the same time contributes to national energy supply while providing solution to sustainable energy based on local potential. Meanwhile the purpose of SII is to provide access in the form of reliable renewable energy which and thus end the dependence on fossil fuel as well as support the development of local community economy. TERANG Project is implemented by Hivos consortium team. (Td/ully)
(Source: http://www.trenddjakarta.com/2018/01/24/menjawab-tantangan-energi-terbarukan-terangi-nusantara-menyalakan-harapan/)