From Diesel To Renewable Energy, A Thousand Family in Teluk Harapan, Maratua Using Electricity With Affordable Solar Energy

Teluk harapan is a village in Maratua Island, a remote island in the east of Kalimantan Timur. In this remote island solar energy is normally the most cost-effective resource for light, radio, television, and charging mobile phones.

From last year, 2014, the trend in these regions for so-called “Home-solar Panel”. These very small systems have a small solar panel, a small battery and a very efficient LED lamp. The system is based on a very low consumption of electricity. Mostly, it spent for one night. However, this trend didn’t sufficient to fulfill of electrical consumption. In another way, peoples of Teluk Harapan accomplish it by generating electricity diesel especially to turn on TV, refrigerator, washing machine, etc. In one night, they could spend 5 liters of diesel which costs Rp 10.000/liter. One by one, people complaining that using diesel caused some problem such as:  pollution, maintenance, and noise.  

Photovoltaic is growing here continuously due to the development program from Kabupaten Berau in this year, also due to the low cost of solar panels. Finally, the government builds up a Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Surya/PLTS (solar power grid generator) to address above mentioned problem. They can generate electricity for 100 houses. As a rule, people of Teluk Harapan have to pay Rp 25.000 per month so that they could consume the electricy around 450 wH per month.

There are considerable changes. Diesel is expensive, costing a family perhaps Rp 1.500.000 a month. Now, they can save this money. Furthermore, through electric light one achieves more in education. Children who mostly work with their parent during day can study in the evening.

The electrification of remote island with this system is economical and therefore a real option. We are sure that in the next few years many people will get their electricity in this way.

created by: Epri Wahyu

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