Bali, August 4, 2023 – A significant increase in the renewable energy mix is ​​needed to achieve the 2045 Bali Net Zero Emissions (NZE) ambition, 15 years ahead of Indonesia’s carbon-neutral target. In addition, using renewable energy and sustainable principles will create a positive image for economic activity and tourism.

Ida Bagus Setiawan, the Head of  Bali Labour, Energy, and Mineral Resources Agency in Bali Province, explained in a meeting titled ‘Towards Bali Net Zero Emission 2045’ held in Jayashaba, Denpasar, Bali, that the energy sector is responsible for 57% of total emissions in Bali. He added that the local government aims to reduce these emissions by achieving 100% renewable energy in Nusa Penida by 2030.

“Nusa Penida was pushed earlier to achieve net zero emissions compared to mainland Bali, one of which is because it is isolated from an electricity perspective,” said Ida Bagus.

The Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), which has been actively working with the Provincial Government of Bali since 2019, has recorded that the technical potential for renewable energy in Bali is relatively large, reaching 143 GW, including the technical potential for PLTS installed on land of 26 GWp and pumped hydroelectric power (PHES) of 5.8 GWh. Fabby Tumiwa, Executive Director of IESR, on the same occasion, mentioned that his party projects that in the next few years, the population of Nusa Penida, which will number around 62 thousand in 2022, will increase, as well as the growing tourism sector will increase demand for energy, including electricity. This can be met with renewable energy.

“The existence of large renewable energy potential and available renewable energy generation technology, manageable electricity demand, and relatively equal patterns of electricity load between day and night, as well as the support of PLN, make me highly confident that the electricity system is 100% renewable energy based. In Nusa Penida can be realized before 2030,” said Fabby.

Alluding to the condition of Nusa Penida, where currently one of the electricity needs is supplied from 7 units of Diesel Power Plants (PLTD) with a total capacity of 10 MW, Fabby said that replacing PLTD with renewable energy was a challenge in itself.

“The challenge is to replace the 10 MW PLTD, which is currently operating, within 2-3 years and improve the performance of solar PV Suana to be more optimal in the coming year. IESR has also conducted technical studies, and the study results show that technically and economically, a 100% renewable energy electricity system can be carried out in Nusa Penida,” he said.

Prof. Ida Ayu Dwi Giriantari, Head of the Center of Excellent Community-Based Renewable Energy (CORE), said the results of her study measured the potential for rooftop solar PV in Nusa Penida government buildings to reach 10.9 MW. In addition, she mentioned that large-scale solar PV has the potential to be utilized in Nusa Penida. According to her, the problem of land for installing large-scale PLTS is resolved with sufficient land in Nusa Penida.

“Solar PV in Suana, with a capacity of 3.5 MW, uses a land area of ​​4.5 hectares. Meanwhile, in Nusa Penida, there is potential for 10 thousand hectares of land for large-scale solar PV,” she explained.

The Provincial Government of Bali declared the Bali Action Plan Towards Bali Net Zero Emissions 2045, supported by the main partners of the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), World Resources Institute (WRI) Indonesia, and New Energy Nexus Indonesia. The event was also attended by supporting partners from global and national philanthropic institutions, namely Bloomberg Philanthropies, IKEA Foundation, Sequoia Climate Foundation, ClimateWorks Foundation, Tara Climate Foundation, and Viriya ENB.

About Bali Net Zero Emission 2045

The Bali Net Zero Emissions 2045 Initiative consists of various efforts aimed at low carbon development in Bali through the transition to renewable energy, electric mobility, and climate entrepreneurship, all geared towards achieving Bali Net Zero Emissions by 2045. This initiative encourages collaborative action and work cooperation between the Provincial Government of Bali, various partners, communities, and stakeholders in Bali to accelerate the adoption of clean energy and encourage the active participation of the Balinese people in the low carbon development agenda. The parties involved include international institutions, non-profit organizations, independent research institutions, the private sector, entrepreneurship and start-up businesses, academic institutions, associations, and local communities. The main partners of this initiative are the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), World Resources Institute (WRI) Indonesia, and New Energy Nexus Indonesia.