Clean Energy and Conservation Synergy Boost Coastal Communities' Welfare

Coastal communities play a vital role in driving Indonesia’s blue economy. Unfortunately, the vast potential of the marine sector, aquaculture, and capture fisheries has not been matched by income stability for these communities. Many remain trapped in economic uncertainty despite their significant contribution to the nation’s economic value. Data from the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries indicates that fisheries export value in 2025 reached US$6.27 billion (equivalent to more than Rp115 trillion). Moreover, the Indonesian archipelago’s coasts store 3.1 billion tonnes of mangrove carbon, making it the world’s largest green fortress. However, limited cold storage facilities, processing capacity, logistics infrastructure, and market access mean that most of this economic value is not yet fully enjoyed by the communities in the producing regions. In response, the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), in collaboration with Konservasi Indonesia and partners including the International Pole and Line Foundation (IPNLF) and GIZ, is supporting coastal communities in Maluku to identify local needs and develop solutions that strengthen livelihoods, enhance community resilience, and protect the marine ecosystems that sustain them. Rizky Fauzianto, Indonesia Country Lead for GEAPP, stated that Indonesia’s coastal communities inherently possess the resources, knowledge, and economic potential needed to thrive. ‘The challenge is ensuring that investments in clean energy, infrastructure, market access, and ecosystem management are integrated so that communities can capture greater economic value from what they produce,’ he said. In many fishing villages, fishermen often return from the sea with abundant catches. However, limited access to ice, cold storage facilities, and reliable transport forces them to sell their catch as quickly as possible at lower prices. In some areas, post-harvest losses can reach 30–50 per cent. Seaweed farmers face a similar situation. Of Indonesia’s total seaweed production, which reached 10.8 million tonnes in 2024, the majority is still exported as dried raw material rather than being processed into value-added products domestically. Reliable energy availability is key to overcoming these challenges. On many remote islands and in eastern Indonesia, communities still rely on diesel generators, with fuel supplies transported over long sea routes. This makes electricity expensive and vulnerable to supply disruptions. Implementing clean energy solutions tailored to local needs can support ice production, cold storage, fisheries processing, refrigeration systems, digital connectivity, health services, and small business development. By enabling products to be stored longer and marketed more optimally, access to reliable energy can help communities reach markets with higher added value while building stronger, more sustainable local economies. This initiative is embodied in an approach called ‘Sun to Sea’, which links energy use for productive activities with the strengthening of sustainable livelihoods and ecosystem management. Improved access to reliable energy to support the cold chain and other productive activities can reduce post-harvest losses, ease pressure on fishery resources, and create more sustainable coastal livelihoods in the long term. Healthy coastal ecosystems play an equally important role. Mangrove forests, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs contribute to fisheries productivity, protect coastlines from abrasion and extreme weather, and serve as the main pillars of local livelihoods. This initiative aligns with various national development priorities, including the Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih programme and the 100GW Village Solarisation programme. ‘The greatest opportunity we have is to connect these various investments at the community level. When energy, livelihoods, market access, conservation, and community resilience are designed to be interconnected, they will reinforce each other in ways that standalone projects cannot achieve,’ Rizky added. As a first step, the partners will assist several pilot communities to test and refine a community-led development model. Support through catalytic grants and philanthropic funding is expected to generate early learnings, reduce implementation risks, and strengthen community capacity. Once the model proves effective, the government, development finance institutions, businesses, and investors are expected to support the replication of viable solutions across various coastal regions of Indonesia.