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Jambi turns to renewable energy
Jambi administration plans to expand the use of renewable energy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels
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J
ambi administration plans to expand the use of renewable energy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Despite renewable energy projects being developed in only a few regencies, dependency on oil and gas in the province has been reduced.
The International Centre for Research on Agroforestry Center (ICRAF), a renewable energy initiator, has generated electricity using wind turbines in Lubuk Beringin village, Bungo regency, since 2005.
ICRAF shield manager Ratna A said two wind turbines produce 5,000 volts each to illuminate 88 houses in Lubuk Beringin village. A rice mill is also powered without gasoline or diesel fuel.
'The idea is simple. We just avail of the abundant sources of water in this village,' said Ratna. Water is one of the most abundant resources in Lubuk Beringin, a village abutting Kerinci Seblat National Park (TNKS).
To keep the abundant supply of water in the area, Ratna said the ICRAF built an agroforestry comprising various plants, including rubber trees, upstream of the village.
'Villagers gain two kinds of benefits: electricity sources as well as forestry products and rubber,' said Ratna, adding that the agroforestry project could raise people's awareness about the need to conserve their forests.
The wind turbines, which cost Rp 10 million (US$1,000) each, were given as a grant by the ICRAF.
'We are encouraging the regency administration to participate in providing funds for existing wind turbines or to develop new ones in other villages,' said Ratna.
In Bungo regency, three villages ' Letung, Lubuk Mengkuang and Sami ' already have wind turbines to produce electricity. (hrl/ebf)
