In an effort to promote local energy use and achieve energy independence, Bali, Indonesia, has officially launched a rooftop photovoltaic (PV) program aimed at accelerating the deployment of distributed solar energy systems in government agencies, public facilities and commercial premises.

Recently, Wayan Koster, Governor of Bali Province, where Bali is located, announced the launch of the Social Initiative to Accelerate the Implementation of Rooftop Photovoltaic Power Plants in Bali. He said, “All provincial, municipal, and regency government agencies must use rooftop PV systems, in addition to all hotels, villas, schools, universities, and markets.”

The program is a key component of Bali's “Net Zero Emissions 2045” goal, which was launched in July 2023 by the provincial government and the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), Indonesia's energy policy think tank.

According to IESR's assessment, Bali has a total PV potential of up to 22GW, of which rooftop PV has an exploitable potential of between 3.3-10.9GW, but the current utilization rate is still less than 1%. IESR calls on Bali to prioritize the deployment of rooftop PV systems equipped with energy storage systems (BESS), which is currently the fastest and least costly way to enhance the island's energy supply and ensure energy security Bali should prioritize the deployment of rooftop PV systems equipped with energy storage systems (BESS) as the fastest and least costly way to boost the island's energy supply and ensure energy security, while at the same time reducing its dependence on transmission lines in Java. Currently, Bali relies on submarine cables from Java for about 25 to 30 percent of its electricity.

Fabby Tumiwa, Executive Director of IESR, noted, “The combination of rooftop PV and energy storage systems will both meet the surge in power demand following the outbreak and reduce the pressure on the national power utility to supply additional power.”

According to Indonesia's national energy development target, the country will add 100GW of new power generation capacity by 2040, of which renewable energy will account for 75GW, while solar PV will contribute 27GW.