The readiness of small island community to the development of potential renewable energy: case study of Bulang Kebam Island, Riau Island province, Indonesia

Abstract

Bulang Kebam Island is one of the small islands located in the west part of Batam City, Riau Islands Province. The region has a deficiency of energy because both central and local governments have not been able to build electrical grid connections for the region, hence the electricity demand can only be met for six hours per day using a diesel generator. In order to provide a more continuous supply, an alternative source of energy by utilizing the potential of tidal energy resources around Bulang Kebam Island is needed. In support of an effective and efficient renewable energy project development, a study of the community readiness level in Bulang Kebam Island is conducted. Rapid Appraisal for Community Readiness (RAPCR) method is used for this purpose, which consists of social, economic, environment, technology, and institutional factors. The results showed that the community readiness index were categorized as sufficiently ready with values of 61.84, 64.15 and 72.55 for the environment, technology, and institutional factors respectively. While from the economic and social factors, community readiness index were categorized as ready with values of 82.94 and 84.93. Furthermore, the dominant attributes from each factor were analyzed and ranked by using Leverage analysis. The most dominant attribute from economic, environment, technology, social, and institutional factors respectively are potential for renewable energy funding from the community, level of environmental difficulty on the implementation of renewable energy, area availability for renewable energy technology, a clear roles in the implementation of renewable energy, and commitment of local government to renewable energy. The results of this study is expected to be a reference and recommendations for the development of appropriate target and advantage of renewable energy project development in Bulang Kebam Island.