Introduction
Widespread blackouts that struck Java and Sumatra in recent weeks have rekindled the debate over Indonesia’s energy transition, highlighting the deep vulnerabilities in a power system that remains highly centralized and heavily dependent on coal.
In late May, large parts of Sumatra lost electricity after a transmission line in Jambi failed. Just days later, a separate outage disrupted power across parts of Java, Indonesia’s most populous island and economic center.
Coal Dependence: A Structural Problem
For energy analysts, the blackouts underscore a broader structural problem. 'The dependence on a centralized, coal-dominated electricity system is a threat to energy supply security', said Fabby Tumiwa, executive director of the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR).
To reduce the risk of more widespread outages, analysts at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), a U.S.-based think tank, said Indonesia should accelerate the deployment of decentralized renewable energy, particularly rooftop solar combined with battery energy storage systems (BESS).
Solar Energy: A Viable Alternative
'For Indonesia, an archipelago of thousands of islands, rooftop solar combined with battery energy storage systems offers a viable alternative to diesel power, which can be costly and challenging to supply', wrote IEEFA researchers Mutya Yustika and Randi Bachtiar in a recent analysis.
Unlike fossil fuels, they noted, solar power is not vulnerable to fuel supply disruptions or price volatility. Because rooftop systems can be installed on homes, businesses, and industrial sites, they offer a more decentralized and resilient solution.
Conclusion
Recent blackouts in Indonesia serve as a stark reminder of the need to accelerate the country’s energy transition. With its dependence on coal and centralized energy system, Indonesia is exposed to significant energy security risks. However, by adopting decentralized renewable energy, particularly rooftop solar, the country can reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and build a more resilient and sustainable energy system.
Source / Reference
This article was originally published on Mongabay.