Electricity is the “light” of social and economic transformation in Indonesia’s remote regions. Lessons from South Sulawesi demonstrate that even the most advanced technology will fail without strong management, clear asset regulations, and sociological readiness within the community.
MARITIMEPOSTS.COM – Access to electricity is an absolute prerequisite for economic growth and equitable prosperity. However, Indonesia’s geographical reality as an archipelagic nation presents massive electrification challenges.
According to national data from 2017, there were 2,519 villages that had not yet received electricity access, with the largest concentration located in eastern Indonesia, particularly in Papua (2,111 villages) and West Papua (262 villages).
At the local level, the Provincial Government of South Sulawesi designated electricity provision and access fulfillment as a priority program in the 2018–2023 Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD).
This vision positioned Solar Power Plants (PLTS) as a strategic solution for mountainous regions and remote islands beyond the reach of the state electricity grid operated by PLN.
As policy analysts, we must recognize that physical infrastructure is only the starting point; the real challenge lies in ensuring that state investment can survive and generate long-term economic value for rural communities.
The ENACTING Project Profile: Beyond Mere Lighting
The ENACTING (Energy Access Beyond Lighting) program is part of the EnDev Indonesia initiative, a collaboration between the Government of the Republic of Indonesia (through the Directorate General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources) and the German Federal Government through GIZ.
The core philosophy of ENACTING is to shift the energy assistance paradigm from merely “providing lighting” toward driving productivity through the concept of Productive Use of Energy (PUE).
In South Sulawesi, the project was implemented in two pilot districts:
- Takalar Regency: Focused on Rewataya Village (Lantangpeo Hamlet, Tanakeke Island).
- Pangkep Regency: Covering Mattiro Baji Village (Saugi Island) and Mattiro Bombang Village (Sabangko Island).
The project not only carried out technical installations but also developed a multi-stakeholder collaboration ecosystem to ensure that electricity could sustainably increase the added value of local products.
Development Process and Capacity Building
The success of renewable energy projects at the grassroots level heavily depends on capacity transfer and knowledge sharing. ENACTING applied a comprehensive approach involving multiple key actors through several stages.
First: Technical and Managerial Facilitation
Field facilitators were assigned to assist community groups, including technical training for solar power operators and business management training for micro-enterprise actors.
Second: Cross-Sector Collaborative FGD
A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) titled “Building Collaborative Coastal and Island Development Based on Renewable Energy” was organized.
The activity involved the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda), the Energy and Mineral Resources Office, the Cooperatives and SMEs Office, and academic partnerships with Hasanuddin University (Unhas), Muhammadiyah University (Unismuh), and Bosowa Polytechnic.
The role of NGOs such as Yayasan BaKTI, YKL, and Lemsa was also crucial in bridging socio-technical aspects.
Peer-to-Peer Comparative Studies
- Yogyakarta: Participants learned product processing techniques and SME management from professional practitioners (Awan Kostrad).
- Muara Enggelam, East Kalimantan: Participants studied the management of the village-owned enterprise (BUMDES) “Bersinar Desaku,” which successfully operates solar power systems independently for clean water and fisheries businesses.
Solar Power Management and Local Productivity Impact
Electricity support sparked enthusiasm among residents, especially women’s groups, enabling them to produce goods at night and improve packaging quality.
Based on field evaluations, energy usage reached an average of 20,000 kWh per day in locations where the systems were still functioning optimally.
Several productive business groups emerged, including:
- Cahaya Berkah Group (Rewataya): Producing crab chips.
- Cahaya Rezki Group (Sabangko): Producing seaweed chips.
- Cahaya Sabangko Group: Producing shellfish crackers.
- Kepiting Group (Saugi): Producing Doi-doi cakes.
These products even received appreciation from international visitors from Singapore and Taiwan due to their distinctive taste.
Support from the regional government was also evident through a visit by the Vice Governor of South Sulawesi, Andi Sudirman Sulaiman, to Saugi Island.
The governor provided production equipment assistance such as blenders and packaging press machines to strengthen the competitiveness of local products in broader markets.
Identifying Challenges and Operational Realities on the Ground
Despite positive achievements, the ENACTING evaluation revealed technical and administrative vulnerabilities that require serious attention to ensure the sustainability of state investment.
SPS System (Meters)
The security system was weak and easily bypassed by customers. Damage to the system resulted in financial losses of approximately Rp34 million for equipment replacement.
As a consequence, residents reverted to a flat-rate contribution system of Rp45,000 per month.
RE Boat (Electric Boat)
The technology suffered from severe inefficiency. Charging the batteries required 12–24 hours, but the boat could only operate for 30–40 minutes.
The batteries were too heavy, the speed was low, and the vessels were unsafe in strong sea currents.
Asset Status
The absence of clear asset grants or transfer mechanisms made village governments reluctant to use Village Funds for maintenance due to concerns over audit findings.
Physical Conditions
Damage to critical components such as the SCC and inverter caused the system in Rewataya Village to shut down completely for nearly one year, halting all productive activities.
Analysis: Why Do Many Solar Power Systems Fail?
From a policy analysis perspective, the failure of solar power systems is not merely a technical issue of “broken equipment,” but rather a manifestation of systemic weaknesses that must be addressed.
Neglect of the Business Cycle
Projects often focus excessively on physical grants (inputs) without considering long-term financial sustainability for replacing expensive batteries and electronic components.
Weak Capacity Transfer
Community readiness to master technical aspects and maintain collective responsibility remains low, often due to insufficient post-project assistance.
Bureaucratic and Macro Policy Obstacles
There remains ambiguity in cross-ministerial roles. The Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs should play a stronger role in mediating solutions regarding electricity purchase prices by PLN for community-managed systems on remote islands.
Regulatory Dynamics
The issuance of Ministerial Regulation No. 49/2018 concerning Rooftop Solar Power indicates market transformation, but regulations governing communal solar systems in remote regions still require budget synchronization, especially after the pandemic disrupted regional financing.
Lessons Learned: Notes for the Future of Renewable Energy
The ENACTING evaluation provides important lessons for the future of rural energy transition in Indonesia.
1. Genuine Participatory Planning
The selection of locations and technologies should not be purely technocratic or top-down. Community involvement from the beginning ensures a sense of ownership over the infrastructure.
2. The Vital Role of NGOs
Competent civil society organizations must remain involved continuously to oversee community responsibility and organizational management after assistance programs end.
3. Self-Reliance Versus Tool-Dumping
Development must focus on raising public awareness and independence, rather than merely distributing equipment without a sustainability strategy.
4. Accountability and State Financial Efficiency
Large renewable energy investments must include long-term maintenance projections so that public funds are not wasted on equipment that quickly deteriorates due to poor management.
Electricity is the “light” of social and economic transformation in Indonesia’s remote regions.
Lessons from South Sulawesi demonstrate that even the most advanced technology will fail without strong management, clear asset regulations, and sociological readiness within the community.
Energy sovereignty on small islands can only be achieved when rational planning is accompanied by strong commitment from all stakeholders to ensure that the light does not fade once project ceremonies have ended.
Written by K. Azis
