Indonesia’s ACCESS Project Achieves Milestone With Inauguration Of Solar Power Plants In 22 Remote Villages

The Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has celebrated a significant achievement with the inauguration of solar power plants in 22 remote villages across East Nusa Tenggara, West Sulawesi, South-East Sulawesi, and Central Kalimantan provinces.

The ACCESS project, funded generously by KOICA, has successfully established off-grid solar power plants and provided extensive capacity-building for local operators. This initiative also focused on strengthening village-owned enterprises (BUMDesa) to ensure the effective operation and sustainability of these solar power plants.

At the inauguration ceremony held in Mata Wee Lima village, Southwest Sumba, Sahid Junaidi, Secretary of the Directorate General of New and Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation, emphasized the project’s alignment with Indonesia’s electrification goals. “This PLTS project reflects our commitment to meeting national electrification targets. While PLN’s services reach 98.3% of Indonesia’s population, there remains a 1.7% gap,” Junaidi said.

He highlighted the importance of renewable energy in overcoming geographical challenges that hinder traditional grid expansion and praised the ACCESS program as a model of effective collaboration between the Government, KOICA, and UNDP.

The ACCESS project has installed solar power plants and network infrastructure across all targeted provinces, delivering a total capacity of 1.1 megawatts. This initiative benefits over 20,000 individuals and more than 3,000 households. In addition to providing reliable electricity, the solar installations have spurred local development, with 20 BUMDesa being established or revitalized. These enterprises are involved in various business activities, from trading to sustainable aquaculture, and utilize clean energy in their operations.

Dr. Sooyoung Park, Deputy Country Director at KOICA Indonesia, commended the project’s success, noting the challenges faced during the pandemic and the achievement of reaching remote locations. “Your dedication and collaboration have been instrumental in reaching this milestone. We must now focus on ensuring the sustainability of this infrastructure through strong ownership at all levels,” Park stated.

UNDP Indonesia’s Deputy Resident Representative, Ms. Sujala Pant, underscored the project’s commitment to gender equality and social inclusion, highlighting that 46% of the local technical operators trained were women. “Embedding gender equality and social inclusion into the project is crucial for transforming systemic representation and empowering women in the energy sector,” Pant said.

The ACCESS project’s success not only addresses immediate energy needs but also lays a foundation for sustainable, community-led development. By reinforcing local institutions and involving women actively, the project exemplifies how collaborative and innovative approaches can drive progress toward a more equitable and sustainable energy future for Indonesia.