Bali’s Path to Net Zero: A Decades-Long Electricity Roadmap

Based on the provided text, here are the key takeaways regarding Bali’s energy transition and net-zero emissions goals:

Bali’s Net Zero Emissions Roadmap for the Power Sector: Ida Bagus Ari Chandana, Head of the ESDM Division, announced a roadmap designed to achieve net-zero emissions in Bali’s power sector by 2045. This roadmap is intended as a technical and economic guide and a strategic framework for a focused and measurable energy transition.

Bali’s Potential as a Clean Energy Leader: Fabby tumiwa, Executive Director of IESR, highlighted Bali’s potential to become the first province in Indonesia fully powered by clean and renewable energy, even before the national target of 2060.

Abundant Renewable Energy Resources: Bali possesses significant solar energy potential, estimated at up to 21 gigawatts, which is approximately 15 times its current peak electricity demand. This solar power can be deployed in various locations, including rooftops, parking buildings, unused land, and reservoirs using floating solar technology. Fabby emphasized that Bali has all the necessary resources for a locally sourced and lasting clean energy system.

Addressing Reliability Concerns: The reliability of renewable energy during adverse weather can be managed through a combination of solar PV systems, battery storage, and flexible electricity systems. The primary challenge for this transition is not technology, but rather boldness, political will, and policy consistency.

Key Calls to Action: Fabby Tumiwa outlined three crucial calls to action:
1. Local Governments: Integrate clean energy into growth planning and mandate rooftop solar installations in public buildings.
2. PLN (Indonesia’s State Electricity Company): Utilize Bali as a national clean energy laboratory by accelerating the adoption of smart grids and energy storage integration.
3. Central Government: Provide tangible regulatory and fiscal support for Bali’s energy transition.

Symbolism and National Impact: Bali’s energy transition is envisioned not just for its own benefit but as a symbol of Indonesia’s commitment to clean energy. Success in Bali achieving Net Zero Emissions by 2045 could serve as a powerful catalyst for other provinces to follow suit.Conversely, failure in Bali could lead to hesitation across Indonesia.

* Collaboration and Roadmap Development: The roadmap is the result of an ongoing partnership since 2023, involving the formulation of a 100% Renewable Energy Roadmap by 2030, focus group discussions, workshops, and reviews of the province’s energy plans (RUED and RUKD). The event featured technical presentations and discussions involving experts from IESR and Udayana University.

Based on the provided text, here are three PAA (Policy, Actors, Action) related questions, each on a new line:

Current Energy Landscape in Bali

Bali, renowned for its stunning landscapes and vibrant culture, faces a critical juncture in its energy future. Currently, the island’s electricity generation relies heavily on fossil fuels, primarily diesel, imported from Java.This dependence creates vulnerabilities in supply, contributes to air pollution, and hinders Bali’s sustainability goals. The existing grid infrastructure, while undergoing improvements, struggles to meet peak demand, especially during the tourist high season.

Dominant Sources: Diesel power plants account for approximately 70% of Bali’s electricity.

Renewable Contribution: Geothermal, hydro, and solar contribute the remaining 30%, with geothermal being the most notable renewable source.

Grid Challenges: Intermittency issues with renewables and limited grid capacity pose significant hurdles.

Rising Demand: Tourism growth and increasing local consumption are driving up electricity demand.

The Net Zero Target & Government Initiatives

The Indonesian government has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060,and Bali is positioned to be a frontrunner in this transition. Several key initiatives are driving this ambition:

1. National Energy Policy (KEN): This policy prioritizes renewable energy sources and energy efficiency.
2. Bali Clean Energy Program: A dedicated program focused on accelerating the adoption of renewable energy technologies across the island.
3. Presidential Regulation No. 112/2022: This regulation outlines the acceleration of renewable energy mix in the national electricity system.
4. Investment Incentives: The government is offering tax breaks and other incentives to attract investment in renewable energy projects.

Renewable Energy Sources: A Deep Dive

Bali’s diverse geography lends itself to a variety of renewable energy solutions. Here’s a breakdown of the key players:

Solar Power: Untapped Potential

bali receives abundant sunshine throughout the year, making solar power a prime candidate for expansion.

Rooftop Solar: Incentivizing residential and commercial rooftop solar installations is a cost-effective way to increase renewable energy capacity.

Solar Farms: Large-scale solar farms are being planned and developed, particularly in less populated areas.

Floating Solar: Utilizing reservoirs and water bodies for floating solar installations minimizes land use.

Geothermal Energy: Bali’s Existing Strength

Bali already benefits from geothermal resources, but significant potential remains untapped.

Existing Plants: The existing geothermal plants provide a stable baseload power supply.

Exploration & Expansion: Ongoing exploration efforts are identifying new geothermal resources.

Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS): Exploring EGS technologies to access geothermal energy in areas with lower permeability.

Hydro Power: Small-scale Opportunities

Bali’s mountainous terrain offers opportunities for small-scale hydropower projects.

Micro-Hydro: Developing micro-hydro plants in remote areas can provide localized power solutions.

Run-of-River Hydro: Utilizing existing river flows without large dams minimizes environmental impact.

Wind Energy: Emerging Possibilities

While not as abundant as solar or geothermal, wind energy is gaining traction.

Offshore Wind: Exploring the potential of offshore wind farms, particularly in areas with consistent wind speeds.

Onshore Wind: Identifying suitable locations for onshore wind turbines, considering environmental and aesthetic factors.

Grid Modernization & Energy Storage

Transitioning to a renewable energy-dominated grid requires significant upgrades to the existing infrastructure.

Smart Grids: Implementing smart grid technologies to improve grid stability,efficiency,and responsiveness.

Energy Storage: Deploying battery storage systems to address the intermittency of solar and wind power. Lithium-ion batteries are currently the most common,but research into alternative storage solutions like flow batteries and pumped hydro is ongoing.

Grid Interconnection: Strengthening the interconnection between Bali and Java to facilitate power sharing and enhance grid resilience.

Virtual Power Plants (VPPs): Aggregating distributed energy resources (DERs) like rooftop solar and battery storage into VPPs to provide grid services.

Challenges & Roadblocks to Net Zero

Despite the ambitious goals, several challenges need to be addressed:

Land Acquisition: Securing land for large-scale renewable energy projects can be complex and time-consuming.

Financing: Attracting sufficient investment in renewable energy infrastructure requires innovative financing mechanisms.

Regulatory Framework: Streamlining the regulatory process and providing clear guidelines for renewable energy development.

Community Engagement: Ensuring local communities benefit from renewable energy projects and addressing potential social and environmental concerns.

Supply Chain Resilience: Diversifying the supply chain for renewable energy components to reduce reliance on single sources.

The Role of Energy Efficiency & Conservation

Reducing energy demand is just as significant as increasing renewable energy supply.

Building Codes: Implementing stricter building codes to promote energy-efficient construction.

Appliance Standards: Enforcing energy efficiency standards for appliances and equipment.

Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating the public about energy conservation practices.

* Sustainable Tourism: Promoting sustainable tourism practices that minimize energy consumption.

case Study: nusa Penida’s Renewable Energy Transition