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Key Insights
The Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) has published a comprehensive plan detailing 100% renewable energy adoption for Timor and Sumbawa Islands.
This initiative serves as a critical case study, demonstrating the technical feasibility and financial viability of full renewable electrification for Indonesian islands.
The plan supports West Nusa Tenggara's ambitious goal of achieving 100% renewable energy and net-zero emissions by 2050, aligning with Indonesia's national targets.
Successful implementation in these islands will provide a scalable model for energy independence and climate action across the broader Indonesian archipelago.
The Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) has unveiled a comprehensive long-term power sector development plan aimed at achieving 100% renewable electricity in Indonesia's Timor and Sumbawa Islands. This landmark publication, released recently, positions these islands as critical case studies for the nation's broader energy transformation, underscoring renewable energy as not merely an environmental imperative but also an economic and social necessity.
Indonesia, committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060 or sooner, seeks to solidify its leadership in Southeast Asia's clean energy transition. The IESR's research directly supports West Nusa Tenggara’s pioneering commitment to reach 100% renewable energy and net-zero emissions by 2050. The findings provide robust technical and economic validation for this ambitious regional strategy, demonstrating how high-level climate targets can translate into actionable, localized implementation plans.
The publication convincingly demonstrates that 100% renewable electrification in Sumbawa Island is not only technically feasible but also financially viable. It moves beyond theoretical possibilities, offering a practical roadmap that challenges conventional assumptions regarding grid stability and energy security in isolated systems. The proposed framework integrates a mix of solar photovoltaic, wind, and potentially geothermal or hydro resources, complemented by advanced battery energy storage systems (BESS) to ensure continuous, reliable power supply. Analysis indicates that such a system can reduce long-term operational costs compared to fossil fuel-dependent grids, while entirely eliminating carbon emissions.
“Our analysis confirms that a full renewable energy transition for islands like Sumbawa and Timor is within reach, offering a pathway to energy independence and economic resilience,” stated Fabby Tumiwa, Executive Director of IESR. “This plan provides the technical and economic proof points necessary to accelerate investment and policy support for similar initiatives across Indonesia’s vast archipelago.”
While the primary focus of the IESR report is on Sumbawa, the principles, methodologies, and recommendations outlined are highly relevant and applicable to other island regions across Indonesia, including Timor, which face similar challenges and opportunities in the clean energy transition. The successful implementation of this plan in Sumbawa and Timor will serve as compelling evidence that island regions can achieve complete energy independence, enhance energy security, and significantly contribute to global climate goals, setting a powerful precedent for sustainable development in archipelagic nations worldwide.