The Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) is encouraging Bali to look again at its geothermal potential and make use of it to strengthen energy independence, especially after the massive blackout that paralyzed the island on May 2, 2025. This power outage exposed Bali’s dependence on Java’s electricity grid and sparked calls to develop local, renewable energy sources.
According to Eniya Listiani Dewi, Director General of New, Renewable Energy, and Energy Conservation (EBTKE), Bali holds enormous geothermal potential, particularly in the Bedugul area. “This is a chance for Bali to have its own PLTP. We’ve long warned Bali not to rely on Java,” Eniya said during a press briefing at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs. She stressed that every island should aim for energy self-sufficiency to reduce the risks of system failures.
The Bedugul PLTP project, however, has a complicated history. Originally developed by PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE) and Bali Energy Ltd, the project has been stalled since 2005 due to strong opposition from local communities, who raised concerns about the sacredness of the site. Former Bali Governor Wayan Koster even reached an agreement with former Minister for Energy & Mineral Resources Ignasius Jonan to halt the project, redirecting focus to other regions like Karangasem, Jembrana, Buleleng, and Klungkung—all of which hold renewable energy potential. Bedugul itself was estimated to provide up to 414 MW of electricity, a substantial boost for Bali’s grid, but community resistance has kept it on hold for decades.
Currently, most of Bali’s electricity is transmitted via the Java-Bali undersea cable, making it vulnerable to disruptions. The recent blackout was traced to a high-voltage undersea cable failure, cutting off supply and plunging the island into darkness for hours. PT PLN (Persero) has since restored the system, but the incident has fueled momentum for local renewable energy projects.
Beyond resilience, geothermal development aligns with Bali’s clean energy goals and Indonesia’s broader push toward renewable sources. As PLN continues its investigation, Jisman Hutajulu, Director General of Electricity at ESDM, has called for a thorough audit of grid operations to prevent future blackouts.
This shift toward local geothermal energy not only strengthens Bali’s grid reliability but also supports its reputation as a green tourism hub. The Bedugul geothermal project, alongside exploration in other regions, could mark a pivotal step in securing Bali’s sustainable energy future.
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