Solar Power Fuels Economic Growth and Women's Leadership in Indonesian Village
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The village of Muara Enggelam in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, has transformed its economy and community life since receiving a solar power allocation in 2015. Residents now have 24-hour electricity, enabling new businesses and empowering women in energy management. The system is managed by a village-owned enterprise led by a local woman, a notable development in a country where women are underrepresented in the energy sector.
Facts First
- Muara Enggelam village now has 24-hour electricity from a solar system, replacing limited diesel generators.
- Residents like Asniah use the power to run businesses, including producing fish crackers and operating a digital boutique.
- The solar infrastructure is managed by a village-owned enterprise (BUMDes) led by Jam’ah.
- This represents a shift in local energy leadership, as women make up less than 5% of energy managers in Indonesia according to the UNDP.
What Happened
Prior to 2015, the over-the-water village of Muara Enggelam in East Kalimantan, Indonesia, relied on expensive, noisy diesel generators. In 2015, the village received a solar power allocation from Indonesia’s energy ministry, providing 24-hour electricity. The solar infrastructure is now managed by a village-owned enterprise known as BUMDes, which is led by Jam’ah, a mother of one.
Why this Matters to You
Access to reliable, clean energy can directly empower local entrepreneurship and community leadership. For residents like Asniah, a mother of three, 24-hour electricity has enabled her to produce fish crackers, expand to a food stall, and run a digital boutique marketed via social media. This shift in energy source and management could serve as a model for other remote communities, demonstrating how infrastructure investment can create tangible economic opportunities and promote greater gender inclusion in technical fields.
What's Next
The continued operation and potential expansion of the BUMDes-managed solar system may provide a stable foundation for further local business growth. The success of this model could encourage similar energy projects in other Indonesian villages, potentially increasing women's participation in the energy sector.