low-carbon-transitions-in-west-sumatra-indonesia-09dfbc608832b2c9.pdf

This policy brief by the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the gender and social equity dimensions of low-carbon energy transitions in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Through case studies of geothermal, micro-hydro, and biofuel projects, the authors argue that without gender-sensitive planning, renewable energy transitions may replicate or exacerbate existing patriarchal structures and social inequalities, particularly regarding land rights and decision-making.

• Indonesia faces significant economic and political barriers to a low-carbon transition due to its heavy reliance on fossil fuels. The country was the world's 4th largest carbon emitter in 2015 and the 5th largest coal producer. Transition is hindered by revenue-sharing schemes where provincial governments receive a larger share of coal revenue than the central government, creating resistance to system changes.
• Despite high renewable energy potential, Sumatra remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels. In 2014, fossil fuels accounted for over 80% of the 9.9 MW of installed capacity in Sumatra, even though the region has a theoretical renewable-energy generation potential of 196.2 GW, the highest of any geographic area in Indonesia.
• Renewable energy projects can entrench traditional gender roles if women are excluded from decision-making. In a community-led micro hydro project in Pekonina Village, women reported benefits such as the use of electric rice cookers and blenders, but remained excluded from project management, participating in meetings only as substitutes for their husbands.
• Customary land management in West Sumatra is patriarchal, which disempowers women during energy transitions. While the Minangkabau matrilineal system allows women to inherit communal land, men dominate land-use decisions and transactions. This has led to cases where male clan leaders sold communal land for logging or oil palm plantations, distributing the resulting holdings among men.
• Even transparent compensation processes in renewable energy projects can create social friction and economic inequality. In the case of the SEML geothermal project, the inclusion of male village and clan leaders in negotiations led to community discontent and jealousy, as benefits were perceived to favor those with higher rank or capital.
• National energy policies, such as the 'Zero Kero' LPG subsidy programme, often fail to reduce inequality and can disproportionately benefit the non-poor. Approximately 70% of beneficiaries were wealthier urban residents, while poor rural women often pay inflated prices—up to twice the official subsidized rate—due to supply chain intermediaries.
• High connection costs to the state-owned electricity provider (PLN) create barriers for rural communities. In Manggopoh village, installation costs were estimated between US$ 70.00 and 220.00, and monthly costs around US$ 15.0. In contrast, the community-led micro hydro plant in Pekonina Village provided electricity at a significantly lower cost of approximately US$ 3.5 monthly per household.

APA

Stockholm Environment Institute (n.d.). low-carbon-transitions-in-west-sumatra-indonesia-09dfbc608832b2c9.pdf. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/low-carbon-transitions-in-west-sumatra-indonesia.pdf

Chicago

Stockholm Environment Institute. low-carbon-transitions-in-west-sumatra-indonesia-09dfbc608832b2c9.pdf. n.d. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/low-carbon-transitions-in-west-sumatra-indonesia.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Stockholm Environment Institute |title=low-carbon-transitions-in-west-sumatra-indonesia-09dfbc608832b2c9.pdf |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/low-carbon-transitions-in-west-sumatra-indonesia.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stockholmenvironmentinstitutendlowcarbontransitionsinwestsumatraindonesia09dfbc608832b2c9pdf, author = {{Stockholm Environment Institute}}, title = {{low-carbon-transitions-in-west-sumatra-indonesia-09dfbc608832b2c9.pdf}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/low-carbon-transitions-in-west-sumatra-indonesia.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }