Promoting Renewable and Sustainable Hydropower at the 2024 World Water Forum (WWF)

On 20 May 2024, PT Kayan Hydropower Nusantara (KHN) was featured in the 2024 World Water Forum - Forum Agenda session, titled “Boosting Renewable Energy Generation from Water and Wastewater”. Held in Bali this year, the World Water Forum serves as a platform for the water community and key decision makers to collaborate and make long-term progress on global water challenges. 

Moderated by Dr Lei Xie, Energy Policy Manager of International Hydropower Association (IHA), the session fell under the thematic process of Water Security and Prosperity of the forum. The objective of the session is to raise awareness and exchange knowledge to better understand the significance of alternative energy generation from water, the challenges posed to the deployment of the technology, and to promote policy recommendations.

Andhi Marjono, Director of KHN, spoke in the first half of the session with the topic of “Boosting Renewable Energy Generation from Hydropower Generation''. He explained about the 1,375 MW Mentarang Induk Hydroelectric Project (MIHEP) located in Malinau, North Kalimantan, Indonesia that will provide affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy to Indonesia’s first Green Industrial Park (KIPI) in North Kalimantan once the construction is completed in 2030. 

Apart from contributing to support Renewable Energy-Based Industrial Development (REBID) and the Indonesian Government's target of 23% renewable energy by 2025 and 31% by 2050, this project developed by KHN aims to create jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities, as well as support the development of infrastructure, utilities, and economic opportunities at the local scale.

Andhi further elaborated that MIHEP is open to further technology and innovation, such as floating photovoltaic (FPV). FPV can help compensate for hydropower output during dry periods, while hydropower, with its more stable and flexible operation, can compensate for the unstable and intermittent PV output during the wet season.

Other speakers in the first half of the session are Dr Josef Ullmer, Organisation Group CEO of Andritz; and Dr Gagah Guntur Aribowo, Vice President of Operational and Business Development Division at the Head Office of PT Indra Karya (Persero). Josef highlighted the multiple roles of hydropower to achieve the net-zero energy transition, while Ariwibowo discussed the challenges of hydropower development in Indonesia and proposed solutions to tackle those challenges.

In the second half of the session, Hyunsik Shin, Group Leader of the ECO Technology Business Group at Samsung Engineers and Ahead; Natsuki Hisaoka, Director of the Sewerage Division of the Shiga Prefectural Government in Japan; and Joffrey Lapilus, Program Officer in Water and Climate at the French Water Partnership, elaborated on the Wastewater Sludge-to-Energy Conversion technology.

Amid climate change, Wastewater Sludge-to-Energy Conversion stands out as a leader among alternative water energy sources due to the increasing demand for water and electricity, projected to rise by 50% by 2050. Approximately 2500-3000 GW will be needed from hydropower, which is double today's capacity. Hydropower continues to play a significant role in promoting economic development and the clean energy transition.

KHN advocates for a sustainable and clean energy transition at the World Water Forum (WWF). Previously, KHN hosted a session at COP28, held from November 30 to December 12, 2023, at Expo City, Dubai. KHN also supported the 2023 World Hydropower Congress organised by the International Hydropower Association by becoming the primary partner of the congress. The congress produced The Bali Statement on Powering Sustainable Growth, which provides four recommendations related to hydropower for sustainable growth.