Over 50 participants, including West Nusa Tenggara officials from various agencies, representatives from the private sector, academic institutions, and students from vocational schools, attended the first day of the training on August 21, 2024.
ICLEI Indonesia, in collaboration with the Energy Agency of West Nusa Tenggara (WNT) Province and ICENERGY Institute, conducted a two-day local capacity training workshop last August 21-22, 2024 to enhance local capacities and prepare stakeholders to develop bankable renewable energy projects.
This initiative is part of the ambitious 100% renewable energy (RE) project aimed at transforming the region’s energy landscape into a sustainable and secure system by 2050
The capacity-building program attracted over 50 key participants, including WNT officials from various agencies, representatives from the private sector, academic institutions, and students from vocational schools.
Sahdan, the Head of the Energy Agency of WNT Province, articulated in his opening remarks the significant advancements made by WNT in establishing essential regulations, notably Regional Regulation No. 2/2015 on Energy and Labor Management and Regional Regulation No. 3/2019 on the Regional Energy Plan.
“We have considerable solar energy potential within the region, which highlights the need for its optimal utilization to meet the increasing electricity demands. To attain these ambitious goals, it is important to prepare the local workforce with the necessary skills and expertise,” he said.
(In the picture) Arif Wibowo, Country Manager of ICLEI Indonesia, along with the WNT Head of Energy Agency ICENERGY, delivered welcoming remarks to greet participants ahead of the two-day training.
Following Sahdan’s remarks, Arif Wibowo, Country Manager of ICLEI Indonesia, emphasized the critical need for understanding and bridging global commitments related to climate change which significantly impacts various sectors, including the livelihoods of fishermen and farmers who struggle with unpredictable weather patterns. Wibowo also highlighted the collective responsibility of assisting communities affected by climate change, accentuating the essential roles of government, academia, and industry in addressing these challenges.
Exploring Solar PV Development and Public-Private Partnerships
On the first day, experts provided a comprehensive overview of solar photovoltaic (PV) development, contextualizing it within global and Indonesian frameworks. They discussed the potential for solar energy, the progress made so far, and the relevant regulatory landscape.
Ajang from Bank NTB Syariah raised concerns regarding the financial assessment of rooftop solar PV systems equipped with batteries, particularly given the significant investment costs involved. In response, Ilham from ICENERGY Institute acknowledged these concerns and explained that, at present, implementing rooftop solar PV systems with batteries is not economically viable compared to PLN’s electricity rates, as the payback period would exceed 25 years.
“In urban areas with reliable electricity access, rooftop solar PV installations are typically utilized primarily to reduce daytime electricity bills, making battery storage unnecessary,” Ilham explained.
In a hands-on session, participants engaged with PV software to conduct technical assessments for solar PV projects across multiple locations. This practical exercise aimed to equip attendees with the skills necessary to evaluate renewable energy project feasibility.
Day 2 focused on risk management strategies and the development of public-private partnerships (PPP) for rooftop solar PV projects. The day featured a session presented by Rossitta from the Ministry of National Development Planning Agency (BAPPENAS). She concluded the session by discussing PPP schemes, explaining their frameworks and the challenges involved in implementation.
Participant Feedback and Engagement
Ahmad Wildan, a vocational school student, expressed his enthusiasm for the program, saying “We eagerly anticipate further capacity-building opportunities like this, as they equip us with crucial guidance and direction for working with renewable energy in the future.”
Participants during one of the sessions on developing financeable rooftop solar PV projects.
Participants showed strong engagement throughout the workshop, with over 75% completing surveys that indicated a solid understanding of the material presented. Feedback highlighted a demand for additional training on specific topics, such as operations and maintenance, particularly for attendees from universities and vocational schools.
The local training underscores the importance of building local capacities in renewable energy to achieve sustainable development goals. The 100% Renewables Cities and Regions Roadmap project is implemented by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI), which is implemented by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) in close cooperation with the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) and the Federal Foreign Office (AA).
Watch the highlight here: https://lnkd.in/g27RPDRM
