Powering Prosperity: Joint Field Missions Drive Solar Sustainability and Green Economy in Indonesia
Central Kalimantan and Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia – A series of joint field missions conducted by the Accelerating Clean Energy Access to Reduce Inequality (ACCESS) project, the Sustainable Infrastructure Programme in Asia (SIPA), and the United Nations Partnership for Action on Green Economy (UN-PAGE) as UNDP Indonesia team are accelerating efforts to ensure remote solar power plants (Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Surya-PLTS) remain economically viable and serve as anchors for local green development.
These missions—visiting villages in Central Kalimantan and Southeast Sulawesi—have transitioned the focus from mere electrification to leveraging existing solar assets to foster sustainable livelihoods and a just energy transition.
From Electrification to Economic Empowerment
The initial phase of the ACCESS project successfully installed PLTS infrastructure in 22 remote villages across four provinces. However, the subsequent expansion of the national grid has presented a challenge: many solar facilities are now underutilized. The joint visits, led by the project members and partners, sought to address this by moving beyond basic lighting and public facility use.
Central Kalimantan: Securing Assets for Green Investment
In Desa Tamiang, Lamandau, Central Kalimantan, the team found a proactive Village-Owned Enterprise (Badan Usaha Milik Desa-BUMDes) ready to ensure the PLTS's future. The village has embedded the solar asset into its long-term financial structure.
Key findings from the Central Kalimantan mission include:
- The BUMDes has dedicated 10% of its plantation revenue to the PLTS maintenance fund.
- An ambitious 40% of BUMDes business development funds are allocated to establish a key new venture: a car repair shop/garage in the main economic corridor.
- The PLTS is viewed as a valuable community asset that must be secured and maintained until the warranty expires in 2026.
Crucially, the Village Head requested legal assistance to secure the land title of their 146-hectare village plantation. Securing this asset is seen as the foundation for guaranteeing the long-term financial stability necessary to sustain the PLTS. This provides a clear entry point for SIPA’s mandate to strengthen sustainable infrastructure and UN-PAGE's focus on institutional support for the green economy.
Southeast Sulawesi: Fueling New Blue Economy Models
The mission to Malaringgi and Tambolosu villages in Southeast Sulawesi confirmed strong local demand for using solar power for productive purposes. While Malaringgi is more remote and isolated, its BUMDes demonstrated remarkable initiative, developing over 20 business models linked to the existing solar system, including ventures into local agricultural product sales using e-boats.
Key findings from the Southeast Sulawesi mission include:
- Strong interest in solar-powered innovations like ice-making facilities for fisheries and e-boats for both economic and emergency transport.
- In Malaringgi, a coordination meeting led to an agreement to gradually increase monthly community contributions to ensure sufficient savings for PLTS maintenance once the warranty ends.
- The team recommended assessing the feasibility of using the PLTS for clean water provision, such as powering wells or water treatment systems, further linking the solar asset to essential community needs.
The Path to Sustainability
The joint field missions highlight a crucial shift in rural renewable energy projects: sustainability depends not only on technology but on robust business models and strong institutional governance. The primary risks identified—including financial challenges in covering maintenance costs and the need for accountability—are being addressed through local agreements and targeted technical assistance.
The integration of SIPA (bringing infrastructure financing models) and UN-PAGE (providing integrated policy and green economy frameworks) with the ACCESS project ensures that the foundation built through electrification becomes a springboard for local economic development and a true just energy transition for remote Indonesian communities.
As these projects move towards official government handover, the focus remains clear: transforming underutilized solar infrastructure into viable, green, and inclusive business opportunities that deliver long-term prosperity.