PEAP's Role is to Invite the Watukarere Village Community to Care for PLTS

Electricity is one of the fundamental necessities for households. When night falls, electricity becomes the source of light that battles against the darkness. Indonesia is blessed with year-round sunshine, yet not many are aware that the sun's scorching rays can be transformed into electrical energy. Solar Power Generation (PLTS) technology has been widely adopted across the globe, and the Indonesian government has also embraced this innovation.

In the era of renewable energy, sunlight emerges as a steadfast ally. This never-depleting resource offers a multitude of benefits. Aside from producing electricity, PLTS is exceptionally environmentally friendly, emitting no carbon emissions and thereby contributing to climate change mitigation. Moreover, the cost of electricity generated from PLTS is relatively lower compared to diesel generators. The advent of this technology has also created new employment opportunities within communities.

Electric Access and the Happiness of Watukarere's Residents

In Indonesia's major cities, electricity is abundant. Streets illuminate with streetlights throughout the night, and towering skyscrapers radiate light, masking the moon's glow. However, this is not the case in all regions. There are places where nighttime illumination still relies on diesel generators, and access to electricity is not as straightforward as in urban areas. Watukarere Village in West Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara Province, is one such place. This coastal village in Eastern Indonesia basks in the sun's brilliance during the day but relies on generators for nighttime illumination. Unfortunately, not everyone in the village has access to diesel generators.

The people of Watukarere dream of limitless light. In 2017, the Central Government answered their dreams by installing PLTS in one of the hamlets (Hamlet Two) out of the four hamlets in Watukarere Village. The introduction of PLTS was met with joy as it instilled new hope within the community. With PLTS, residents can enjoy electricity for up to 21 hours a day, a vast improvement compared to the 6 hours provided by diesel generators.

The prolonged availability of electricity also brings new hope for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the village. Before PLTS was introduced, there were only seven MSMEs in Hamlet Two. Following the PLTS installation, the number of MSMEs expanded to thirteen. Villagers opened businesses such as weaving, convenience stores, and workshops. Shops that previously closed at 7 PM now remain open until 10 PM. Business potential has grown, enabling poultry farmers to employ chicken processing equipment and farmers to use coffee grinding machines.

PLTS at Risk of Inefficiency

The construction of PLTS in Hamlet Two was funded by the Central Government, while maintenance is the responsibility of the Village Government. However, the efficiency of PLTS is now at risk. One of the two inverters, a key component of PLTS, has malfunctioned, resulting in reduced electricity generation. This issue has led to various problems, including non-functioning streetlights, reduced operating hours for MSMEs, and children's inability to study at night. Additionally, two electricity meters were damaged due to improper usage. The Village Government has made efforts to address these issues but is limited by budget constraints for repairs and maintenance.

Peter Gusphiton Mega, a village facilitator from the Patriot Energy ACCESS Program (PEAP), working in Hamlet Three of Watukarere Village, states, "Many people still believe that PLTS is solely the government's responsibility. This belief hampers their willingness to pay operational fees. To ensure an adequate budget, the community must be willing to contribute. While PLTS is a government program, its construction is for the common good. Unfortunately, minimal community participation becomes a problem when PLTS experiences problems."

Peter's Solution: The Patriot Energy ACCESS Program

The Accelerating Clean Energy Access to Reduce Inequality (ACCESS) project, funded by KOICA and implemented by UNDP, currently has 23 village facilitators (PEAP). The ACCESS project aims to provide electricity access to 23 villages in Indonesia through the construction of Centralized PLTS, and Watukarere Village is one of the target locations. Peter, the PEAP responsible for Watukarere Village, is facilitating the preparation of 93 households that will gain access to electricity from the PLTS to be constructed in Hamlet Three.

Learning from the experience in Hamlet Two, Peter offers a solution to support the operational efficiency of the PLTS in Hamlet Three. Peter encourages the community to contribute to PLTS maintenance through a collective fee, realized in the form of village electricity vouchers. Through village council meetings, the community, together with the Village Government, has agreed on a collective fee, equivalent to IDR 60,000 per month. Thirty percent of this fee is allocated to the operational expenses of the Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDES), and the remaining 70 percent is earmarked for PLTS equipment maintenance.

Peter has developed the voucher system for operational funding and conducted awareness campaigns among the residents about the importance of jointly caring for the PLTS. He engaged key figures in the village to assist in the socialization process, both in community meetings and through home visits to the 93 households that will receive electricity access from the PLTS built by the ACCESS project. In these campaigns, Peter emphasizes the significance of maintaining PLTS, saying, "I told them that if the PLTS breaks down, we will suffer, such as not being able to keep the grocery store open for a more extended period. But if we collectively maintain the PLTS, we will reap the benefits ourselves." Peter's approach has yielded positive results, with the community warmly embracing the initiative.

Peter opted for the voucher system to prevent illegal fees as perceived by the community in the case of a collective fee. He explains, "The collective fee system triggered the perception that this was an unofficial charge by the Village Government. Learning from past experiences, that system led to conflicts that were reported to the district level. In Hamlet Three, residents who do not use the voucher code cannot access electricity."

Community Involvement as a Form of Ownership

The residents of Hamlet Three willingly pay the operational fee for PLTS through the voucher system, understanding that it serves to cover maintenance costs in case of damage. Moreover, the Hamlet Three community voluntarily contributes labor. Peter shares, "When there was a land survey for the PLTS construction, the community accompanied the contractor team, assisted in land measurements, and educated the surrounding residents."

This community involvement is a manifestation of their sense of ownership of the PLTS to be constructed. Peter hopes that when the PLTS is completed, it will not only be used but also maintained with dedication. Together, they are ready to embrace the light. Peter's solution is rooted in the mission of sustainable development upheld by the ACCESS project across 23 villages, facilitated at the local level by PEAPs.

Light for All

Strategies involving community participation in contributing to maintenance costs and enhancing local institutions are key to ensuring the sustainability of PLTS. Muhammad Febriman Sitepu, Technical Officer of Local Institutional Development for the ACCESS project, emphasizes, "The strategy of paying fees through vouchers for PLTS operational costs is based on past experiences. Many people were not committed to paying the fees agreed upon for various activities, such as providing clean water facilities, despite the water reaching their homes. This voucher strategy is a smart approach to dealing with the complexities of rural community living."

With the community's enthusiasm for actively participating in PLTS maintenance, the energy generated is expected to be beneficial for various needs. Residents eagerly anticipate the PLTS from the ACCESS project. The importance of community involvement in rural areas should continue to be preserved. With active facilitation at the village level, the long-term use of renewable energy by the community can increase. In line with the ACCESS project's focus on renewable energy, this will undoubtedly contribute to global climate control.

Written by: Elizabeth Gabriela