"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."

- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

#Indonesia

Global News

From Coal to Clean Energy: Inside Indonesia's Monumental Solar Plant

Indonesia's President Joko Widodo, widely known as Jokowiu, recently unveiled a significant milestone in the country's renewable energy journey by inaugurating a massive floating solar power plant in West Java province. This marks a pivotal move in Indonesia's commitment to diversifying its energy sources away from coal and embracing sustainability. The project, valued at 1.7 trillion rupiah (approximately $108.70 million), is a collaboration between Indonesia's state utility company, Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) Nusantara Power, and the United Arab Emirates' renewable energy firm, Masdar, a unit of Mubadala Investment Company. This 192 MWp floating solar power plant is positioned on the Cirata reservoir. President Jokowi expressed optimism about escalating this initiative to 500 MWp, highlighting the potential for further renewable energy development in the nation. Built atop the reservoir, the solar infrastructure, comprising 340,000 solar panels spread across 250 hectares, aims to generate 245 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually. This substantial output is anticipated to power approximately 50,000 households, contributing significantly to the Jawa-Bali distribution line. President Widodo hailed this achievement as a crucial step towards Indonesia's aspirations for large-scale renewable energy utilization. He emphasized the successful partnership between PLN and Masdar as a model for similar collaborations in the future. Despite facing delays, the inauguration of the Cirata plant aligns strategically with Indonesia's commitment to enhancing its renewable energy capacity. As the nation gears up to attend the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) climate meetings, this groundbreaking project underscores Indonesia's dedication to reducing carbon emissions and achieving its ambitious sustainability goals.

25 Nov 2023
Global News

Reviving Paradise: Indonesia's Bold Mission to Save Biodiversity

Indonesia is embarking on a significant environmental endeavor as it announces plans to convert half a million acres of palm plantations back into lush forests. The government has set up a task force to identify and remove oil palm plantations that were established on protected land. This initiative aims to restore the tropical rainforests that should rightfully exist. The joint efforts of the internal security and environmental ministries have been mobilized to ensure the success of this ambitious project. Chief security minister Mahfud MD has warned that legal action will be taken against palm oil companies that continue to operate on protected land after the deadline. Recognizing the challenges posed by the vast, mountainous, and forested terrain of rural Indonesia, the government acknowledges the slow and inefficient nature of its actions. However, progress has already begun, with 40% of plantation owners in forested areas identified. The task force has set a deadline for plantation owners to submit documentation detailing their land usage. Those found to be operating on land intended for forests will face eviction and potential criminal charges. The fines imposed on plantation owners in protected and conservation forests will contribute to the government's climate change mitigation efforts. By the end of the program, it is estimated that approximately 200,000 hectares of land will be reclaimed for nature. This initiative is crucial for Indonesia, one of the world's most biodiverse countries, to protect its unique flora and fauna from the threats posed by palm oil plantations. The reversal of deforestation trends and the increasing survival rates of forests are positive signs of progress. Indonesia's commitment to restoring its natural landscapes sets a commendable example for other nations facing similar environmental challenges. 

17 Nov 2023
Global News

Justice Restored: Netherlands Returns 500 Stolen Artifacts to Indonesia and Sri Lanka

Two museums in the Netherlands have agreed to return 500 looted artefacts to Sri Lanka and Indonesia. The museums claim that the objects were taken under duress or by looters during the Dutch East India Company's near-monopoly in the trade between Europe and the Spice Islands and the following colonial period.  The repatriations include the Lombok treasure, consisting of 335 objects from Lombok in the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia, four statues from the Javan Hindu kingdom of Singasari, 165 objects of modern art from Bali, and from Sri Lanka, a cache of ceremonial weapons from the city-states of Kandy and a royal canon made of gold, silver, and rubies. Dutch Secretary of State for Culture and Media Gunay Uslu announced the decision on Thursday after a 2020 report recommended that certain museum possessions be returned. Uslu said in a press statement, "It's the first time we're following recommendations… to give back objects that should never have been brought to the Netherlands. But more than anything, it's a moment to look to the future. We're not only returning objects; we're also embarking on a period of closer cooperation with Indonesia and Sri Lanka in areas like collection research, presentation, and exchanges between museums." The transfer of ownership to Indonesia took place at the National Museum of Ethnology in Leiden on July 10th. The one for Sri Lanka will take place later this year. Repatriation of artifacts taken from around the world during the colonial periods has become a hotter and hotter issue as former colonies become richer and more stable, and objects like the Benin Bronzes or the Koh-i-noor diamond often find their way into news headlines.

13 Jul 2023
Global News

Global Inspirations

This Incredible Invention Can Help Trace Earthquake Victims Trapped Under Rubble

The most difficult task in the event of a devastating earthquake is to locate victims trapped underneath the rubble. A remarkable invention by three Indonesian students has now simplified this task. The device which helps to locate victims is as small and slim as a credit card, but it can help save lives. Deoterions The pathbreaking device is named Detector of Interconnected Position Points or ‘Deoterions’. It is developed by a trio of Indonesian students of Brawijaya University. The device uses high-frequency signals to help locate victims after a natural disaster. Any movement as slight as breathing and as far as 10 km triggers a ping signal in the device. The students said that the signal receiver can be plugged into a mobile phone or laptop, and works with an app available on both Apple and Android systems. Inspiration One of the students, Satrio Wiradinata Riady Boer, 23, was inspired to make this device after his hometown of Padang on Sumatra island was hit by a 7.6 magnitude quake a decade ago. His mother was injured in this calamity and he lost his friend and a teacher. It is a race against time to trace victims after a quake because being buried for too long leads to numerous health complications. The three Indonesian students have secured a patent for their prototype, which costs $7, but said they wanted to perfect the device before they think about making it available to the public. This device will benefit people of many nations that are susceptible to earthquakes throughout the year.

3 Sep 2019
Global Inspirations

Good News

Kidambi Srikanth becomes the first Indian man to win the Indonesia Open Superseries title

Kidambi Srikanth showed his brilliant performance against Kazumasa Sakai of Japan winning his maiden Indonesia Open Superseries title on Sunday in Jakarta. Indian shuttler Srikanth first defeated Son Wan Ho of South Korea in the semifinals. Son Wan Ho is world’s no 1 shuttler who was knocked out by Srikanth. In Finals, he managed his win in just 37 minutes by scores of 21-11, 21-19. Srikanth pushed Sakai back with a lead of 6-4. From this Srikanth kept on increasing his lead and steading towards a splendid performance show by a score of 18-9. This was when he gain momentum and knew his half task was done and thumped Sakai in the first game with a lead again of 21-11. The second game was, however, a little tricky for Srikanth as Sakai followed a changed strategy and gave a lead of 11-6. Srikanth but later on gradually rose into action and started levelling up his score with 13-13, 14-14 and 15-15. Srikanth later used short arm jabs to which Sakai failed to react promptly. With the score on 19-19, Srikanth brought up two short arm jabs and won the match with 21-19. His victory made India proud as he also became the first Indian man to win the title.    

18 Jun 2017
Good News

India pursuing 'energy diplomacy' with neighboring countries

India is slowly but steadily  working on building connectivity grids with its neighboring  countries. It is moving ahead and using energy as a means of connectivity. India is making a network of energy relationships for leveraging itself as a major petroleum products source, according to the Economic Times report. India is sharing  technology with countries from Mauritius to Indonesia. Thus it is creating inter-dependencies in the field of energy. Mauritius being among India's  main partners in the Indian Ocean region, is likely to be a petroleum storage and bunkering hub. India has started developing infrastructure in that country for same. India and Indonesia are going ahead with the energy partnership on the other side of the Indian Ocean. India is developing a floating storage and regasification units (FSRU) for Indonesia. It would facilitate  supply of energy to the thousands of islands in that country. For the eastern neighboring country Myanmar, India will be supplying diesel from the Numaligarh refinery in Assam. India is also considering to build an LNG terminal in Sittwe to provide energy products to Myanmar. Energy minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, “We are trying to use energy as a means of diplomacy in a very different way, not only to find overseas sources of hydrocarbons." India is seen to be using energy as a diplomatic tool to counter China in the eastern region and Pakistan on the western front. Cooperation with friendly neighbors in energy sector by creating interdependency will go a long way in harmonious relationship.            

15 May 2017
Good News

Archives