16-07-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Bali LNG Terminal Controversy
Bali LNG terminal controversy
By Fery Fadly – Bali LNG terminal controversy
Denpasar – Bali's plan to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Sidakarya has reignited tensions between policymakers and environmental advocates, who argue the project undermines the island's commitment to renewable energy.
T. Nirarta 'Koni' Samadhi, Country Director of WRI Indonesia and a prominent environmental voice, criticized the move as a half-step toward sustainability. 'LNG is cleaner than coal, but it's not renewable. If Bali can leap straight to solar or hydrogen—why settle for less?' he told CNN in Denpasar on Friday (11/7).
The terminal, included in Indonesia's National Energy General Plan (RUEN), is pitched as a transitional measure alongside large-scale solar farms. But Samadhi questioned the logic: 'South Korean investors are already eyeing hydrogen plants here. Why lock Bali into fossil infrastructure?'
Samadhi stressed the need for rigorous modeling to weigh trade-offs, from electric vehicle demand surging nickel mining to LNG's marine ecosystem risks. Yet he admitted no local coalition has conducted specific studies on the Sidakarya project's impact—including threats to Serangan's marine life. 'Universities could fill this gap,' he noted.
Bali Governor I Wayan Koster defended the terminal as critical for the Bali Mandiri Energi Bersih (Clean Energy Self-Sufficiency) program, targeting net-zero emissions by 2045. 'We're a global tourism hub. Energy dependence is not an option,' he asserted on 5 June.
Officials claim the project underwent exhaustive reviews, including an Environmental Impact Assessment (AMDAL) by the Ministry of Environment. Koster emphasized safeguards: LNG ships will avoid active coral reefs, operate on 42-day cycles, and use suction dredging to minimize sea turbidity. 'LNG vaporizes if leaked; pipelines run below mangrove roots,' he said.
The government promises economic spillovers for affected villages, from tourism development to cooperative ventures. But critics demand proof. 'Every process must be transparent. I won't tolerate repressive actions,' Koster pledged.
Integrated with existing gas and future solar plants, the terminal aims to boost Bali's power capacity to 1,550 MW by 2029. Yet as Samadhi warns: 'Transitional' can't mean complacent. Bali's clean energy future shouldn't start with fossil fuels.'
The stakes are high. With tourism and ecology in the balance, Bali's energy choices will either set a precedent—or a cautionary tale.
Fery Fadly – is an investigative journalist at Hey Bali
Born in Ujung Pandang on 17 August 1988, Fery Fadly is a seasoned field journalist and visual storyteller with a relentless passion for capturing the untold. With over a decade of experience as a contributor to three major Indonesian television networks, as well as leading print and digital media, Fery has built a reputation for gritty, immersive reporting that bridges hard news and human narratives.
Fery Fadly is an investigative journalist at Hey Bali, uncovering impactful stories about Bali's people, environment, and culture through in-depth reporting and compelling visual storytelling.
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