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Boost renewable-based electrification in remote regions, solar NGO urges
An NTT-based NGO that won second place in a recent Schneider Electric competition says the government should focus on providing renewable-based power solutions in remote regions in its pursuit of a just energy transition.
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Technicians and residents of Naisau village in East Nusa Tenggara work together to install solar panels in January 2024. (Solar Chapter Foundation/-)
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onprofit foundation Solar Chapter has urged the government to provide more power solutions based on renewable energy across the country to ensure a just energy transition.
Mustika Wijaya, founder and executive director of the NGO based in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), highlighted that limited access to electricity was preventing thousands of villagers in the province from accessing clean water, as they had to walk three to four hours over difficult terrain to reach the nearest source.
She recalled a 2017 visit to Umutnana village and seeing an opportunity to harness the region’s year-round sunshine to build a solar-powered pump system at a cost of Rp 650 million (US$40,922) to provide water in the village, which was not electrified at the time.
“We want to empower communities to take ownership of and responsibility for their systems. We believe access to clean water should continue for future generations,” she told The Jakarta Post on Nov. 12.
Mustika also noted that the main challenges in setting up the system included training villagers in maintenance as well as establishing water committees and a community fund.
Indonesia has made significant progress in electrification in recent years, with almost all of its more than 13,000 inhabited islands now wired to the grid.
Southeast Asia’s largest economy reached an electrification rate of 99.63 percent in 2022, according data from state electricity company PLN.
