New Zealand-backed renewable energy programme enters new phase in Indonesia's Maluku province

The next phase of renewable energy development in Indonesia's Maluku province has been officially launched following the signing of a partnership agreement between New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and Indonesia's Directorate General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBTKE).

Delivered through a partnership between professional services company GHD and their in-country partner, Prosper Global Indonesia (previously Yayasan Mercy Corps Indonesia), NZMATES phase 2 aims to continue supporting the sustainable uptake of affordable, renewably generated electricity in the Maluku region to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. 

The official launch of phase 2 took place in Ambon on 14 September, bringing together representatives from GHD, the New Zealand Embassy, including HE Phillip Taula, Ambassador to Indonesia, Prosper Global Indonesia, EBTKE, PLN, the Maluku provincial government, the Ministry of Energy, the Regional Development Planning Agency, local universities and vocational training institutions. 

GHD and Prosper Global Indonesia will provide programme leadership, renewable energy technical advisory services, stakeholder engagement while building the capability of local stakeholders in the planning, delivery, and operations of new renewable energy infrastructure. The programme will also help connect renewable energy opportunities with potential funding and investment pathways. 

Maluku's geography presents unique challenges. Home to hundreds of islands in eastern Indonesia, the province currently relies on complex and costly energy systems. Renewable energy presents an opportunity to provide more reliable and affordable electricity for communities across Maluku, while supporting the Indonesian Government's broader electrification objectives. Renewable energy and mini-grid projects are currently being progressed in the province’s remote communities. GHD, Prosper Global Indonesia, EBTKE, and local partners will now move to identify and develop more projects to be delivered over the next few years. 

The work builds on a pilot delivered through an earlier phase of the programme. On Pulau Tiga Island, one renewable energy upgrade has increased electricity availability from approximately 12 hours per day to 24 hours while significantly reducing diesel consumption and the cost that comes with it. The project also helped strengthen provincial operational capability with local PLN operators trained to operate and maintain the solar power system. 

Grant Deeney, GHD’s NZMATES Project Manager, said this next phase of the programme reflects the strength of New Zealand-Indonesia cooperation, partnerships amongst stakeholders across Maluku and Jakarta, and demonstrates a shared commitment to expanding renewable energy in the province. 

"Reliable and affordable energy can help strengthen communities, support local livelihoods and create new opportunities across Maluku's islands. Working alongside government, education and industry partners, NZMATES is helping build the capability, partnerships and investment pathways needed to support renewable energy development,” said Grant. 

"Moving into Phase 2 allows us to deepen our collaboration with the local government, communities, and academic institutions in Maluku," said Phillip Taula, New Zealand's Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia. 

"We are thrilled to see firsthand how our technical support translates into real-world energy access and clean technology capacity on the ground, empowering the region's future leaders to drive sustainable development," said Ambassador Taula.

Acerca de GHD

GHD es una empresa líder en servicios profesionales que opera en los mercados mundiales de agua, energía y recursos, medio ambiente, infraestructura y edificaciones, y transporte. Comprometidos con la visión de garantizar que el agua, la energía y las comunidades sean sostenibles para las futuras generaciones, GHD ofrece soluciones en consultoría, servicios digitales, ingeniería, arquitectura, medio ambiente y construcción a clientes del sector público y privado. Fundada en 1928 y propiedad de sus trabajadores, GHD cuenta con una red de más de 12.000 profesionales en más de 165 oficinas en cinco continentes.