Agree or disagree: local youth’s perception of renewable energy development

Abstract

This article aims to determine the perception of local youth in renewable energy policy and governance in West Sumatra Province. The local youth we mean in this study are university students. Our previous research shows an educated and critical community group conveying their aspirations and network to form coalitions. They played an essential role in rejecting the construction of renewable energy-based power plants in West Sumatra Province. This study uses a quantitative descriptive method supported by a survey to get local youth perceptions about renewable energy development in West Sumatra Province. Our survey was conducted online and got 346 respondents. The study results show that local youth do not fully understand renewable energy and the potential in West Sumatra Province. However, they relatively agree with renewable energy development even though they are less aware of developing and managing renewable energy policies. From the government side, they consider that the most qualified government is the one whose central role is the state, hoping that people can feel the benefits of renewable energy.