Enviro News Asia, Denpasar — Bali is seeking to accelerate rooftop solar power adoption in its tourism sector as Indonesia’s leading tourist destination pursues its target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2045.
The Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) highlighted the opportunity during a discussion titled “Demand Creation to Accelerate Rooftop Solar Implementation in the Tourism Sector” on October 14, 2026, the second day of Bali Climate Week 2026. The meeting brought together government officials, tourism businesses, technology providers and financial institutions to identify practical ways to expand the use of renewable energy.
According to IESR’s Bali Net Zero Emission 2045 Roadmap, published in 2025, the province has an estimated rooftop solar potential of 4.89 gigawatt-peak (GWp). Hotels, villas, restaurants and other tourism facilities could help unlock this potential because their operations require reliable electricity.
However, the availability of solar resources does not automatically translate into investment. Businesses must consider electricity demand, upfront costs, technology readiness, maintenance services and regulatory certainty before installing rooftop solar systems.
I Wayan Sumarajaya, head of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office, said the island’s tourism development should remain rooted in local wisdom, cultural values and harmony with nature. He also described a shift towards regenerative tourism, in which the industry not only benefits from natural resources but also contributes positively to the environment and local communities.
Perry Markus, secretary of the Bali provincial chapter of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association, said hotels and restaurants offered significant opportunities for rooftop solar deployment. He stressed that implementation should begin with assessments of individual facilities’ energy needs, business feasibility studies and suitable financing arrangements.
Solar power could also provide additional value to tourism businesses by supporting electric vehicle charging facilities. Integrating renewable energy with electric mobility could strengthen hotels’ and destinations’ reputations as contributors to sustainable development.
Markus identified several priorities for accelerating adoption, including demand-based planning, feasibility assessments, accessible financing, demand aggregation and pilot projects that could later be scaled up.
Technology readiness is another important consideration. Anton Suprapto Adi, general manager of PT PLN ICON’s Bali and Nusa Tenggara regional strategic business unit, said the company supported solar deployment through digitalisation and the integration of energy technology, connectivity and electric vehicle infrastructure.
PLN is also pursuing an Energy Management System approach to assess customers’ energy consumption patterns and management needs. The findings could inform decisions on battery procurement and integrated energy systems.
For example, hotel parking areas could be developed into integrated facilities combining rooftop solar, battery storage and electric vehicle charging stations, turning conventional parking spaces into part of a broader clean energy ecosystem.
Financial institutions are also exploring ways to make renewable energy investments more accessible. Adhitya, representing Bali Regional Development Bank (BPD Bali), said investment loans could support rooftop solar installations for hotels, villas, restaurants and other businesses, with repayment periods ranging from five to eight years.
Working capital loans, typically offered for one to three years, could help vendors, contractors and solar equipment suppliers finance their projects. BPD Bali is also considering special interest rates ranging from 9.5% to 12% for companies able to demonstrate electricity efficiency improvements through rooftop solar installations.
The bank is further developing an early-stage financing model involving village-owned enterprises, known as BUMDes. The proposal requires further assessment of business models, financial feasibility and the responsibilities of participating parties.
IESR said accelerating rooftop solar adoption would require coordinated action from government agencies, tourism operators, technology providers, financial institutions, PLN and other stakeholders. Creating market demand, it said, involves not only increasing interest in renewable energy but also establishing a sound investment environment supported by clear regulations and practical implementation pathways.
Such coordination could help Bali advance its 2045 net-zero ambition while strengthening the long-term sustainability of its tourism industry. (*)
