PLN says Bali has up to 2,000 MW of clean energy potential

State-owned electricity company PT PLN has stated that the clean energy potential on the Island of the Gods reaches approximately 2,000 megawatts (MW), well above Bali’s current electricity demand of around 1,300 MW. Komang Teddy Indra Kusuma, Manager of the PLN Bali Load Control Unit (PLN UP2B Bali), explained that this potential originates from various renewable energy sources, primarily solar and wind power spread across several areas of Bali. “From studies that have been conducted, Bali’s clean energy potential reaches almost 2,000 MW. This figure is quite large compared to Bali’s current electricity needs of around 1,300 MW,” he said. According to him, several regions have significant potential for clean energy development. These include the Kubu area in Karangasem, which is already the site of the 25 MW East Bali Solar Power Plant. Additionally, the Jembrana and Negara areas are considered to have high solar radiation levels throughout the year, making them suitable for solar power plant development. Meanwhile, wind energy potential exists in the Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan areas, which are assessed as having wind characteristics that support the construction of wind power plants. He explained that PLN has included this clean energy development in its Electricity Supply Business Plan, through the construction of large-scale solar power plants, rooftop solar panels, and wind power plants. Nevertheless, renewable energy development still faces a number of challenges. A primary one is the unstable or intermittent nature of renewable energy, which is highly dependent on natural conditions. “If the sun is covered by clouds, electricity production from solar plants will decrease. It is the same with wind energy, which depends on weather conditions. The challenge is how this inconstant energy can produce a stable electricity supply,” he said. To address this, PLN considers the development of battery-based energy storage systems as one solution. However, this technology is still constrained by relatively high investment costs. In addition, rising land prices in Bali are also a particular challenge for the construction of renewable energy plants. Licensing factors and synchronisation with regional development plans are also aspects that must be considered. PLN hopes that support from the central and regional governments can accelerate clean energy development in Bali, so that the targets of energy transition and electricity self-sufficiency can be realised in the coming years. With its potential, he believes Bali has a significant opportunity to become a pilot region for clean energy development in Indonesia.