Clean Power Indonesia – 700 kWp Biomass Gasifier in Mentawai (Indonesia)

This case study describes a 700 kWp biomass gasification project in Mentawai, Indonesia, implemented by Clean Power Indonesia (CPI). The project utilizes bamboo as a sustainable feedstock to provide electricity to 1,250 households via a mini-grid system funded primarily by the Millennium Challenge Corporation.

• Clean Power Indonesia implemented a 700 kW biomass gasifier system in Mentawai using 'Down Draft Gasification' technology from Ankur Scientific Energy Technologies Pvt. Ltd. The system comprises six 100 kW units and two 50 kW units, utilizing bamboo as a sustainable bioenergy feedstock to avoid impacts on food security and the environment.
• The project's total capital cost was USD 12.5 million, with 96% funded by a grant from the USA's Millennium Challenge Corporation and the remainder provided as in-kind contributions from Clean Power Indonesia and a local government partner. Post-commissioning operational costs are USD 0.07/kWh.
• The business model involves a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where the state-owned utility PLN purchases electricity at a regulated price of USD 0.15 per kWh and sells it to the community at the National Electricity Rate (TDL) of 415 IDR/kWh (~USD 0.031 cents) as of 9 January 2017. Additionally, a 20-year Feedstock Supply Agreement ensures the project purchases bamboo from villages at a price equal to 20% of the electricity tariff paid by PLN.
• The project provided electricity to 1,250 households and created approximately 450 jobs across the villages. Environmental benefits include an estimated 3,000 tonnes of CO2 per year per village through emission avoidance and carbon sequestration from new bamboo planting.
• Future expansion plans aim to develop approximately 50 MW of capacity over the next five years using biomass gasification and bamboo. This expansion will target the remaining villages in Mentawai (totaling 43), other provinces in eastern Indonesia, and the island of Nias.

APA

Alliance for Renewable Electrification (2019). Clean Power Indonesia – 700 kWp Biomass Gasifier in Mentawai (Indonesia). https://renewelec.org/case-study/clean-power-indonesia-700-kwp-biomass-gasifier-mentawai-indonesia/

Chicago

Alliance for Renewable Electrification. Clean Power Indonesia – 700 kWp Biomass Gasifier in Mentawai (Indonesia). 2019. https://renewelec.org/case-study/clean-power-indonesia-700-kwp-biomass-gasifier-mentawai-indonesia/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Alliance for Renewable Electrification |title=Clean Power Indonesia – 700 kWp Biomass Gasifier in Mentawai (Indonesia) |date=13 November 2019 |url=https://renewelec.org/case-study/clean-power-indonesia-700-kwp-biomass-gasifier-mentawai-indonesia/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{allianceforrenewableelectrification2019clean, author = {{Alliance for Renewable Electrification}}, title = {{Clean Power Indonesia – 700 kWp Biomass Gasifier in Mentawai (Indonesia)}}, institution = {Alliance for Renewable Electrification}, year = {2019}, month = nov, url = {https://renewelec.org/case-study/clean-power-indonesia-700-kwp-biomass-gasifier-mentawai-indonesia/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }