Bali makes rooftop solar mandatory for government buildings, hotels, schools, markets and businesses under its new program
The province has 22 GW of solar potential with up to 10.9 GW of rooftop solar
Rooftop solar can take off pressure on PLN to add new supplies to meet electricity demand, according to experts
The Indonesian province of Bali has launched a new rooftop solar program as part of its plans to achieve energy independence by using local energy sources for government buildings, public facilities and businesses.
Bali Governor I Wayan Koster officially unveiled the Sosialisasi Percepatan Implementasi PLTS Atap Di Provinsi Bali(the Socialization of Acceleration of Rooftop Solar Power Plant Implementation in Bali Province).
He said, “All provincial, district, and city government offices must use Rooftop PLTS. Also all hotels, villas, schools, campuses, and markets.”
Rooftop solar is an integral part of the Bali Net Zero Emissions 2045 (Bali NZE 2045) target.
Under the NZE 2045, launched in collaboration with the Indonesian think tank the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) in July 2023, Bali’s solar energy potential stands at 22 GW, with rooftop solar alone reaching 3.3 GW to 10.9 GW. At present, however, IESR says that Bali utilizes less than 1% of the existing potential.
Bali needs to make use of rooftop solar systems equipped with battery energy storage systems (BESS) as the ‘fast and cheapest’ way to increase energy supply on the island while ensuring energy security, thereby reducing its reliance on power supply from Java from where interconnection cables currently supply 25% to 30% of the province’s electricity.
IESR Executive Director, Fabby Tumiwa, explained, “Rooftop Solar Power Plants and BESS can also be a solution to manage the high rate of electricity demand after the pandemic, and reduce the pressure on PLN to add new supplies to meet the adequacy of electricity supply.”
Indonesia plans to install 100 GW of new power generation capacity by 2040, comprising 75 GW of renewable energy, including 27 GW of solar PV (see Indonesia Announces 75 GW Renewable Energy Ambition).