Just energy transitions through community-based electrification in rural Eastern Indonesia

Abstract

Rural electrification initiatives have been developing in areas around the world, supporting remote communities in establishing energy systems. These initiatives result in the establishment of renewable energy and a reliable energy source for the community. The introduction of renewable energy with electrification has been a global initiative driven by rising concerns about climate change. Indonesia has altered its energy policy to reduce emissions attributed to it and to increase renewable energy consumption, but the national grid makes it difficult. This thesis focuses on how rural electrification has aided the transition to renewable energy in eastern Indonesia and the impact on justice and social principles.

The Just Transitions Framework examines eastern Indonesia's rural electrification initiatives for establishing renewable energy sources in communities. By acknowledging forms of justice within project development, electrification projects were able to share where injustices occurred with the remote communities they worked with. This study interviewed nine individuals from different projects and communities to obtain information on these areas before a consistent energy source was present. They discussed how decisions were made in the project, how vulnerable groups were included, who took on the benefits and costs of the system, and the political influences on the project’s development. The collected data were analysed using thematic analysis to deepen understanding of the topic.

The results indicate that substantial social and economic benefits are produced with the establishment of electricity in rural communities. Impacts on community advancements and structural issues to improve in the future are identified. Additionally, power dynamics with NGOs and communities, patriarchal social influence, and intercultural conflicts and hierarchies impact the success of electrification. Political influence through existing infrastructure and policy problems affects the long-term effects of electrification efforts in rural areas. Analysing how these rural electrification projects can be improved by adopting citizen-driven energy initiatives, such as the European model of energy communities, informs future improvement projects. Governmental support of developing rural electrification initiatives in these areas will further the positive impact on villages that are embracing these changes to transition to renewable energy for their own energy production.