Renewable Energy Projects in Bali Stalled, SIEJ: Do Not Just Show Off
Several renewable energy projects in Bali are under scrutiny due to being stalled and suboptimal. The Society of Indonesian Environmental Journalists (SIEJ) has warned that renewable energy projects should not merely serve as showcases during major events.
SIEJ’s Eastern Regional Coordinator, Rofiqi Hasan, highlighted the government’s commitment to renewable energy projects that are inaugurated ceremonially, such as solar power plants (PLTS).
“Bali is often used as a showcase for climate change issues. We hope that what was inaugurated by Mr Prabowo recently is not just a showcase, but is actually sustainable,” said Rofiqi during a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) regarding climate change in Denpasar on Friday (11/09/2026).
During the discussion, several stalled solar power projects were discussed. One such project is the PLTS in Kubu, Karangasem, with a capacity of 1 MWp and a budget of IDR 26 billion funded by the state budget (APBN). The solar plant, situated on 1.2 hectares of land, is currently overgrown with weeds and contains several damaged panels.
In addition to the Kubu plant, the solar power plant in Tahura Denpasar, which was inaugurated by President Joko Widodo during the G20 agenda, was also mentioned. Furthermore, the Puncak Mundi wind power plant (PLTB) in Nusa Penida, Klungkung, intended as a renewable energy pilot project, is also not performing optimally.
Aisyah Madeleine, Communications Specialist for the Bali Net Zero Emissions Coalition, added that the phenomenon of climate change in Bali manifests through various interconnected environmental issues.
“Climate risks in Bali are becoming increasingly intense and consistent. This is not limited to Denpasar or South Bali; North, East, and West Bali each face their own unique challenges,” explained Aisyah.
Climate change in Bali is clearly visible, such as the coastal erosion in Kusamba Village, Klungkung, which is beginning to threaten the livelihoods of local fishermen. Additionally, flooding has occurred in Denpasar and Badung despite short durations of rainfall, with floods appearing in areas that are typically unaffected.
“In Bali, the energy sector provides the highest contribution to emissions. Approximately 93 per cent of electricity usage, both for households and transportation, comes from [fossil] energy,” Aisyah explained.
Aisyah stated that the Bali Net Zero Emissions Coalition is pushing for a combination of mitigation and climate adaptation measures. These steps include reducing emission sources through the accelerated use of electric vehicles, transitioning to renewable energy, and forest rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, climate adaptation focuses on reducing the risk of disaster impacts, such as adjusting spatial planning, strengthening food security, and planting mangroves.
“Climate action is not just about technology. Climate action should also address how people live, work, and socialise,” concluded Aisyah.