Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelagic state, with over 17,000 islands and approximately 81,000 kilometers of coastline, has immense potential for marine energy. Marine energy refers to renewable energy harnessed from oceanic sources, such as tidal streams, waves, and ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC). Given the country’s geographical advantages and growing energy demands, developing marine energy presents a sustainable alternative that can reduce reliance on fossil fuels, help meet climate targets, and enhance energy security. However, despite its potential, the development of marine energy in Indonesia faces significant challenges related to technical, financial, regulatory, and environmental issues.

This article explores Indonesia’s marine energy potential and its associated challenges, discussing the country’s current development efforts, the benefits of expanding marine energy production, and the hurdles that must be overcome to unlock its full potential.

Overview of Marine Energy in Indonesia

Indonesia’s position as an archipelagic nation located between the Pacific and Indian Oceans offers tremendous opportunities to harness marine energy. The country’s vast maritime space allows access to three primary types of marine energy: tidal, wave, and ocean thermal energy conversion. These renewable energy resources are largely untapped, but they offer the potential to support Indonesia’s energy transition and address the rising demand for electricity, particularly in remote and isolated regions that are difficult to connect to the national grid.

The potential of marine energy in Indonesia is vast. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (2019) estimates that Indonesia’s tidal energy potential is approximately 19.5 gigawatts (GW), while wave energy potential is estimated at 17.9 GW. Additionally, Indonesia’s warm tropical waters offer excellent conditions for OTEC, which generates electricity by using the temperature differences between the warm surface water and cold deep water. The nation’s capacity for OTEC is estimated at 41 GW, making it one of the largest potential resources in the world (International Renewable Energy Agency [IRENA], 2020).

Types of Marine Energy

Tidal Energy

Tidal energy is generated by harnessing the kinetic energy from tidal flows. Indonesia, with its numerous straits, bays, and coastal areas, experiences regular and predictable tidal movements, particularly in regions such as the Lombok Strait, Alas Strait, and the areas between the islands of Sumatra and Java (IRENA, 2020). Tidal energy is considered reliable because tidal cycles are consistent and less prone to fluctuations than wind or solar energy. This consistency makes tidal energy an attractive option for baseload power generation.

Pilot projects are underway to assess tidal energy’s viability, including the Palu Bay Tidal Energy Project in Central Sulawesi, which is expected to produce up to 10 megawatts (MW) of electricity (Jakarta Post, 2021). While tidal energy holds great promise for Indonesia, its development is still in the experimental stages, and further technological advancements are necessary for large-scale deployment.

Wave Energy

Wave energy is captured from the movement of the surface water in oceans and seas. Indonesia’s exposure to the Indian Ocean on the southern coasts of Sumatra, Java, and Bali makes these regions particularly suitable for wave energy generation. Wave energy has significant potential, particularly along the coastlines where wave activity is strongest. This type of marine energy is highly appealing due to its predictability and higher energy density compared to other renewable sources like wind and solar energy (World Bank, 2020).

Wave energy technology is still relatively new in Indonesia, and there are no large-scale wave energy plants in operation as of yet. However, research and development are being conducted in collaboration with international partners to explore the potential of wave energy, with several pilot projects in the planning stages.

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)

OTEC technology exploits the temperature differences between the warm surface waters of tropical oceans and the cold deep waters. Indonesia’s tropical marine environment provides ideal conditions for OTEC, particularly in areas like the Banda Sea and the eastern parts of Indonesia (IRENA, 2020). The technology offers the added benefit of generating electricity continuously, as the temperature gradient between deep and surface water remains relatively constant year-round.

The challenges associated with OTEC are primarily related to the high cost of infrastructure and the need for specialized technology to operate effectively. Although OTEC holds significant promise for Indonesia, the technology is still in the research and development phase, with no large-scale commercial OTEC plants in operation.

Benefits of Marine Energy in Indonesia

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Source

Marine energy represents a renewable and virtually inexhaustible source of energy. Unlike fossil fuels, which are finite and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, marine energy has minimal environmental impact if developed responsibly. Given Indonesia’s commitment to reducing its carbon emissions by 29% by 2030 as part of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, marine energy offers a sustainable way to meet these targets while addressing the nation’s growing energy needs.

Energy Security and Independence

Indonesia’s energy security is heavily dependent on fossil fuel imports, particularly oil. Marine energy can enhance energy security by providing a domestic source of power generation, reducing the country’s reliance on imported fuels. This is particularly important in remote and island regions, where energy access is limited, and imported fossil fuels are often the primary source of energy. Marine energy can provide a localized, sustainable energy solution for these areas, reducing their vulnerability to fuel price fluctuations and supply disruptions (World Bank, 2020).

Economic Development

The development of marine energy can stimulate economic growth by creating new industries, jobs, and technological advancements. Investment in marine energy infrastructure, research, and manufacturing can lead to job creation in sectors such as engineering, construction, and environmental management. Moreover, Indonesia has the potential to become a regional leader in marine energy technology, exporting knowledge, expertise, and equipment to neighboring countries in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Environmental Benefits

Unlike fossil fuel power plants, marine energy systems produce no direct emissions of greenhouse gases, helping to mitigate climate change. Furthermore, if designed and managed appropriately, marine energy systems have minimal environmental impacts compared to other forms of energy generation. Tidal and wave energy, for instance, do not require the destruction of forests or agricultural land, as hydroelectric dams or bioenergy plantations often do. However, it is essential to carefully assess and mitigate potential impacts on marine ecosystems, including fish habitats, seabird populations, and coral reefs (IRENA, 2020).

Challenges to Developing Marine Energy in Indonesia

High Initial Costs and Financial Barriers

One of the most significant challenges in developing marine energy in Indonesia is the high initial cost of infrastructure and technology. Marine energy projects require substantial capital investment, particularly for offshore installations, transmission infrastructure, and maintenance. Tidal and wave energy systems often involve complex and costly engineering solutions to withstand harsh marine environments. OTEC technology, in particular, is expensive to develop due to the need for specialized equipment and the construction of deep-sea infrastructure.

Furthermore, financing for renewable energy projects in Indonesia, especially marine energy, is still limited. Investors may be hesitant to fund marine energy projects due to the perceived risks, including technology readiness, uncertain regulatory frameworks, and the lack of a proven track record for commercial-scale operations. This creates a financial barrier that slows the development and scaling of marine energy projects (World Bank, 2020).

Regulatory and Policy Framework

Indonesia’s regulatory framework for marine energy development is still in its nascent stages. While the government has introduced policies to promote renewable energy, such as the National Energy Policy (KEN) and the General Plan for National Energy (RUEN), marine energy is not as prominently featured as other renewable sources like solar and geothermal. There is a need for clearer policies and incentives specifically targeting marine energy, including feed-in tariffs, tax incentives, and streamlined permitting processes.

Additionally, marine energy projects often require coordination between multiple government agencies, including the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, and local governments. The complex regulatory environment can lead to delays in project approvals and a lack of clarity on permitting requirements for offshore energy projects (IRENA, 2020).

Technological Challenges

Marine energy technology is still in the early stages of development, particularly in Indonesia. While there have been advancements in tidal, wave, and OTEC technologies globally, Indonesia faces unique challenges related to its geography, ocean conditions, and technical expertise. For example, tidal energy systems must be designed to withstand strong currents and extreme weather conditions, while wave energy systems need to be optimized for the variable wave heights and frequencies along Indonesia’s coasts.

Furthermore, there is a lack of local expertise in marine energy technology. Most marine energy projects in Indonesia rely on international partnerships and imported technology, which can drive up costs and complicate project implementation. Building local capacity through training, research, and development is essential to overcoming these technological challenges (Darmawan, 2020).

Environmental and Social Considerations

While marine energy is generally considered environmentally friendly, it is not without potential ecological impacts. The installation of tidal and wave energy systems can disrupt marine ecosystems, particularly in sensitive areas such as coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds. Tidal energy systems, for example, can alter tidal flows, which may affect sediment transport and water quality in coastal areas. Additionally, noise and vibrations generated by marine energy systems can disturb marine life, including fish, marine mammals, and seabirds (Jakarta Globe, 2020).

Social considerations are also important, particularly in coastal and island communities that rely on marine resources for their livelihoods. The development of marine energy projects must take into account the potential impacts on fishing, tourism, and other local industries. Ensuring community engagement and participation in the planning and decision-making process is critical to gaining local support and minimizing conflicts (WWF Indonesia, 2021).

Grid Integration and Infrastructure

Marine energy systems are often located in remote and offshore areas, making it challenging to integrate them into the national electricity grid. The lack of transmission infrastructure in many coastal and island regions can hinder the development of marine energy projects. Building the necessary grid infrastructure to transport electricity from marine energy systems to population centers and industrial hubs will require significant investment and planning.

Moreover, marine energy is an intermittent resource, particularly wave and tidal energy, which fluctuates with ocean conditions. Integrating these variable energy sources into the grid requires advanced grid management systems and energy storage solutions to ensure a stable and reliable electricity supply (World Bank, 2020).

Conclusion

Indonesia’s marine energy potential is vast and offers a promising solution to the country’s growing energy needs and environmental challenges. Tidal, wave, and ocean thermal energy conversion technologies have the potential to provide a sustainable and reliable source of power for the country, particularly in remote and island regions where energy access is limited.

However, significant challenges remain in unlocking Indonesia’s marine energy potential. High initial costs, technological barriers, regulatory uncertainties, and environmental concerns must be addressed to fully realize the benefits of marine energy. The Indonesian government, in collaboration with international partners, private investors, and local communities, must work together to develop a clear policy framework, attract investment, and build local expertise in marine energy technologies.

With the right policies and investments, Indonesia can position itself as a regional leader in marine energy development, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change while ensuring energy security and sustainable economic growth for its people.