Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan said on Wednesday that he wanted Bali to produce 350 megawatts (MW) of electricity from renewable energy sources over the next six years.
The newly produced power, he continued, would meet 17.5 percent of Bali’s total electricity consumption by 2025, when the government estimates the iconic holiday island’s consumption will hit 2,000 MW, driven mainly by increased tourism.
“In Bali, I think solar panels have huge potential. Other than that, diesel-powered generators should no longer run on diesel but on biofuel,” said Jonan in a statement received by The Jakarta Post.
Bali currently consumes 1,320 MW of electricity, which comes from Java (30.3 percent) and local fossil fuel energy sources (69.7 percent). The minister expects power plants on Java to supply an additional 350 MW to Bali by 2025 on top of the local renewable sources for meeting expected energy demand.