Challenges in Using Renewable Energy for Islands in Indonesia: A Case Study of Karimunjawa

Karimunjawa subdistrict which is located in Central Java Province received electricity supply in 2006 by using diesel powerplant. The Government of Indonesia also installed solar powerplants in 3 of 5 islands in Karimunjawa subdistrict. The management of the solar powerplants in the islands provides challenges not only in technical, but also in economic and social aspects caused by technology which is still new for community. This paper discussed about the challenges in implementing renewable energy technology in islands. The data was collected by (1) daily energy demand survey in 45 households in Karimunjawa (2) observation and (3) stakeholders' interview. The results showed the importance of (1) developing productive used of energy, (2) the collaboration among many parties (3) technical, social and economic assistance in all project phase and (4) community engagement.