Speaking in Denpasar on Thursday, Ajrun Karim, General Manager of\nPLN\u2019s Bali Distribution Main Unit (UID), said the move is expected to\nmeet the rising demand for electricity driven by rapid economic and\ntourism growth on the island.<\/p>\n
He explained that electricity demand in Bali has grown by 8.02\npercent, far exceeding the national average. This surge reflects\naround-the-clock economic activity, which requires an increasingly\nreliable and sustainable power grid.<\/p>\n
Currently, the Bali UID serves around 1.96 million customers, with\npeak demand nearing 1,300 megawatts (MW).<\/p>\n
According to Ajrun, Bali\u2019s power grid has a unique characteristic\ncompared to other regions, marked by the narrow gap between its base\nload and peak load, which indicates consistently high electricity\nconsumption throughout the 24-hour cycle.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs Bali\u2019s electricity demand growth has reached 8.02 percent, PLN\nmust consistently ensure a sufficient, reliable, and sustainable power\nsupply to keep pace with the growth of local communities, businesses,\nand the tourism sector,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\n
He explained that the island\u2019s power grid is still supported by\nsupply from Java via the Java-Bali interconnection network.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, several local power plants still rely on fossil fuels,\nmaking renewable energy development a vital strategy for boosting Bali\u2019s\nenergy independence.<\/p>\n
Under the 2025\u20132034 RUPTL, PLN plans to add 2.74 gigawatts (GW) of\ngeneration capacity, comprising 886.8 MW from renewable energy plants,\n307.5 MW from energy storage systems, and 1,550 MW from gas-fired power\nplants to serve as transitional energy.<\/p>\n
In addition to increasing the number of plants, the company will\nconstruct 885 kilometers of transmission lines, increase substation\ncapacity by 3,320 MVA, and expand the distribution network to support\ngrowing electricity demand and investment in Bali.<\/p>\n
Ajrun emphasized that building this infrastructure is foundational to\nstrengthening the power grid\u2019s resilience, while simultaneously reducing\nBali\u2019s reliance on electricity supplied from outside the island.<\/p>\n
However, he noted that there are several hurdles in implementing the\nRUPTL in Bali. These include limited space for construction, local\naesthetic standards, socio-cultural and spiritual considerations, and\ntechnical, regulatory, and financial challenges.<\/p>\n
Therefore, collaboration among all stakeholders is deemed paramount\nto a successful energy transition.<\/p>\n
Head of Bali Net Zero Project at Institute for Essential Services\nReform (IESR), Cita Febronia Utami, noted that achieving Bali\u2019s 2045 Net\nZero Emissions target requires evidence-based policies backed by\nstronger regulations, investment, technology, human resources, and\ncross-sector collaboration.<\/p>\n
She added that robust planning of the island\u2019s renewable energy\npotential will be key to building a sustainable and competitive energy\nsystem in Bali.<\/p>\n
Related news: Indonesia moves to boost Java-Bali grid reliability\nafter blackouts<\/p>\n
Related news: Govt steps up oversight on domestic coal quotas<\/p>\n
Related news: Preventing blackouts, RI Govt allocates additional coal\nquotas for PLN<\/p>\n
Translator: Rolandus Nampu, Raka Adji<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pln-fast-tracks-balis-energy-independence-push-1784206231", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }