The Central Java administration has targeted to meet 21 percent of the province’s total energy demand with renewable energy by 2025 – lower than the national target of 23 percent.

Renewably energy currently contributes 10 percent to the province’s total energy demand, according to Imam Nugroho, head of the electricity division at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry’s Central Java office.

“We are in the process of issuing a bylaw that will be in accordance with the national target of 23 percent by 2025,” he said.

Four renewable energy projects started five years ago in Central Java, involving the conversion of landfill methane gas to energy in Semarang, solar photovoltaic in Karimun Jawa Island, refuse-derived fuel used by the cement industry in Cilacap and waste-water treatment to energy in Klaten.

All projects are under a partnership agreement with the Danish government, with a total investment of Rp 180 billion (US$12.4 million) through the Environmental Support Program (ESP3).

Emil Salim, senior program officer from the Royal Danish Embassy in Jakarta, said all four projects are scheduled to fully operate no later than late 2018 and would be handed over to the government.

In addition to the four projects, a geothermal-based power plant is being constructed in Purwokerto, Baturaden district, with a capacity of around 75 megawatt (MW).

“We also have a 50-MW solar energy potential in Boyolali that has attracted China’s developer,” he said, adding that talks continue with a developer on the cost of the project. (bbn)