(In the picture) The Acting Governor of West Nusa Tenggara Province, Dr. H. Lalu Gita Ariadi, and key stakeholders welcome the public consultation on the 100% renewables roadmap.
“On behalf of the West Nusa Tenggara (WNT) Provincial Government, I express appreciation for this initiative, which is certainly a demand and necessity for us in the future.”
Dr. H. Lalu Gita Ariadi, the Acting Governor of West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, delivered this message in a keynote speech during a Public Consultation Workshop, which marks the culmination of the provincial stakeholders’ collective efforts in developing the WNT Roadmap towards achieving 100% renewable energy (RE) by 2050.
(In the picture) Niken Arumdati, Secretary of WNT’s Energy Agency, delivering opening remarks on the region’s progress on renewables journey during the public consultation event.
This event, held on 21 February 2024, convened over 60 key stakeholders from various sectors and non-government institutions across the province, including crucial components in the region’s energy planning such as regional development agencies (BAPPEDA) from Mataram City, Sumbawa, West Sumbawa, Central Lombok, and Dompu Regency; and WNT’s energy agency, transportation agency, and industry agency, among others. Their active participation catalyzed transformative discussions aimed at gathering essential inputs for finalizing the WNT 100% renewable energy roadmap.
The province’s renewable framework prioritizes socio-economic development, advancing greener industry and power systems, and integrating renewables into the transportation, building, and household sectors to enhance overall energy security.
Moderating the dialogue session, Arif Wibowo, Country Manager of ICLEI Indonesia, underscored Mataram and Sumbawa’s strategic selection for roadmap implementation based on their sustainability commitment, resource abundance, and industrial growth potential.
During the discussion, Mr. Wahyu from BAPPEDA of Sumbawa Regency pointed out that national policies have a significant impact on regions, saying that as local governments have limited capacity, national involvement is crucial.
Participants at the public consultation event actively engaged during the Q&A session.
He further highlighted that over 100,000 hectares of critical land in Sumbawa could potentially be utilized to generate 18.9 MW of electricity equivalent through biomass power plants. The island possesses dry and unproductive land; thus, securing community buy-in for energy cultivation is necessary so that they can contribute to supplying raw materials for co-firing biomass in the region. However, policy incentives are necessary, including ensuring competitive pricing offered by the state-owned electricity company (PLN).
Wibowo underscored that achieving this development hinges on harmonizing policies and incentives, alongside enhancing farmers’ capacities to switch from seasonal crops to Gamal plants which will serve to support the biomass supply chain business in the region.
It is envisioned for the roadmap to be integrated into the Regional Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPD) 2025-2045, thereby contributing to achieving the “Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision,” as outlined in the National Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPN) 2025-2045.
Capacitating West Nusa Tenggara in Energy Planning
Leading up to the aforementioned event, ICLEI Indonesia and West Nusa Tenggara’s (WNT) Energy Agency (Dinas ESDM) previously co-hosted a Provincial Renewable Energy Capacity Building session on 20 February 2023. Rohit Sen, Head of Sustainable Energy at ICLEI World Secretariat, served as a resource speaker for the in-person knowledge-sharing as part of the 100% Renewables Cities and Regions Roadmap project.
(In the picture) Rohit Sen, Head of Sustainable Energy at the ICLEI World Secretariat, sharing insights during the in-person knowledge-sharing session.
In the opening remarks, Niken Arumdati, Secretary of WNT’s energy agency, also presented the province’s progress in renewable energy. “The renewable energy mix has reached 22.4% in WNT, exceeding the target set in the Regional Regulation No. 3 of 2019 regarding the Regional Energy General Plan,” said Arumdati.
The session shed light on the latest advancements in sustainable energy management and provided invaluable guidance on cutting-edge financing mechanisms towards reaching the 100% renewables goal in WNT Province. During the discussions, many questions from stakeholders sparked insightful dialogues on energy management in the province.
(In the picture) More than 40 participants, including staff from WNT’s energy agency, representatives from Bappeda of Mataram and Sumbawa City, academe, CSO and communities, attended the capacity building session in Mataram city, West Nusa Tenggara Province.
Furthermore, the session highlighted the vast potential for future renewable energy projects in WNT, reaffirming the province’s commitment to achieving a 100% renewable energy share by 2050. This forward-looking approach addresses not only current energy needs but also positions WNT as a catalyst in regional 100% renewables development within the country.
