IESR: Sumbawa Island Possesses 8.64 Gigawatt Solar Energy Potential
Mataram (ANTARA) - A study by the non-profit think tank, the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), states that Sumbawa Island in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) has a renewable energy potential of 8.64 gigawatts derived from solar power.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IESR, Fabby Tumiwa, said that this potential is sufficient to support 100% of Sumbawa Island’s electricity needs with clean energy.
“President Prabowo Subianto has instructed the development of 100 gigawatts of solar energy in approximately 80,000 villages. We see this as an opportunity for regions to contribute to achieving the national target,” he said in a statement in Mataram, Thursday.
Fabby said that his organisation has published a study entitled “Island-Based 100% Renewable Energy and Flexibility in the Electricity System”.
The results of the study show that Sumbawa Island has a total renewable energy potential of 10.21 gigawatts, with 8.64 gigawatts of it, or 84.53%, being solar power.
According to him, this potential is an important asset for West Nusa Tenggara in formulating an energy transition strategy and realising the target of net-zero emissions by 2050.
Fabby believes that IESR’s experience in developing the Bali Net-Zero Emissions 2045 roadmap can be a reference for West Nusa Tenggara in designing a similar policy.
“We can provide strategic input to prioritise renewable energy. In this energy transition period, the net-zero emissions initiative also needs strong support from the central government,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Governor of West Nusa Tenggara, Lalu Muhamad Iqbal, welcomed the support from the non-profit think tank in preparing the 2050 Net-Zero Emissions roadmap.
He stated that West Nusa Tenggara needs a measurable development direction so that the energy transition process can run effectively while also providing economic benefits for the community.
“NTB has great potential to meet the demand for renewable energy workers, both domestically and in the international market,” said Iqbal.