Jakarta/Buru, 6–10 April 2026: ERIA convened a focus group discussion (FGD) in Jakarta as part of the second stakeholder engagement for the Sustainable Energy for Island and Distributed Off-grid System (SEIDO) project, following the initial session in December 2025.

Supported by the Mitsubishi Research Institute (MRI), the team presented early findings to stakeholders from Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR), including the Directorates of Geothermal Energy, Renewable Energy, New Energy, Bioenergy, and Electricity Program Development, along with PLN (state electricity company) and PT Ormat Geothermal Indonesia.

The discussion highlighted a key challenge in the power system on Buru Island in eastern Indonesia. At present, electricity supply relies heavily on diesel generation, resulting in unreliable access and frequent outages. Looking ahead, while Buru Island has strong renewable energy potential – including geothermal, solar, bioenergy, and hydropower – limited demand could lead to oversupply if these resources are fully developed. This underscores a central constraint: electricity development is limited not by resource availability, but by low and stagnant demand.

Participants emphasised the need for a dual approach that combines improving supply reliability with actively stimulating demand. Measures to enhance power quality include microgrid deployment with battery energy storage systems (BESS), stronger system integration, and the use of digital technologies. At the same time, increasing demand will be critical, with opportunities identified in cold storage for fisheries, electric mobility, utilisation of geothermal heat, and emerging applications such as hydrogen production. The FGD concluded that energy development must align with real demand and local economic activities, while remaining affordable and delivering tangible benefits for local communities.

Following the Jakarta engagement, ERIA and MRI conducted site visits to Ambon and Buru Island from 7 to 10 April 2026 to validate these findings with local stakeholders. Discussions with the Ambon branch of PLN as well as MEMR of Maluku Province – where both Ambon and Buru Island are located – confirmed strong potential for cold storage development, alongside future demand from fisheries and gold mining activities in Gunung Botak, Buru Island. Consultations with the Buru local government (BAPPERIDA) also highlighted the urgent need for reliable electricity in critical facilities, including hospitals, schools, government offices, and fishing villages.

Field visits to the Namlea Regional Public Hospital and the Wailihang Fishing Village confirmed that power outages remain common and that reliable electricity is urgently needed. Local stakeholders expressed strong support for microgrid development. A visit to Namlea Port provided further insights into local energy needs and potential future applications, including hydrogen utilisation in the event of excess power.

As a next step, ERIA will conduct a workshop and final site visit in June–July 2026 to present preliminary microgrid system designs and other technology options for Buru Island.