The Indonesian power sector faces the combined challenge to (i) satisfy growing electricity demand at an affordable cost and (ii) comply with the decarbonization targets committed under the Paris Agreement. In this study, we investigate cost-optimal pathways for the development of the power sector in line with climate targets. We used the Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) software tool to build a power-system expansion model for Sumatra and simulated four scenarios representing a business as usual development, the current development plans, and two mitigation pathways in line with the national climate targets. Particular focus is put on bioenergy, an energy source that has been often overlooked in previous studies and plans. The results show that, although the national plans consider mitigation actions, they do not reduce coal dependency. Besides, current development plans are not cost-effective and have high marginal abatement costs for emissions reduction. The two mitigation scenarios achieve better environmental results at lower system costs. Our results show that bioenergy deployment can contribute significantly to achieving the greenhouse gas (GHG) targets of 19% and 24% pledged by the Indonesian government. More efficient use of modern renewables and natural gas can reduce Sumatra's dependence on coal resources.

This paper investigates the consequences of divergence in policy assumptions in energy planning for preparing national low-carbon pathways and enhancement of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. We present an assessment of the resulting forecasts based on a multimethod exploratory study. Our analysis contributes to an ongoing debate on the policy coherence and integration in the energy sector and climate action strategies. Our results indicate how data availability, ownership and transparency, as well as institutional factors inbuilt in national energy planning impact policy implementation and climate action. This analysis can provide valuable insights for policy-makers working with enhancing NDCs to ensure the updated NDC is actionable.

The palm oil agroindustry produces the most consumed vegetable oil in the world but also a significant quantity of residual biomass waste (e.g. empty fruit bunch, shell, palm oil mill effluent). The importance of using some of these residues for energy production is widely understood. However, the palm oil mill effluent (POME), which is responsible for the highest share of GHG emissions in palm oil production, is still conventionally treated in an unsustainable way. This research aims at investigating alternatives to retrofit Indonesian palm oil mills into biorefineries that could efficiently use POME to produce value-added products (e.g. electricity, compost and pellet). We present a literature review of mature treatments for biomass residues highlighting the most promising ones. Subsequently, biorefinery concepts are proposed comprising conversion technologies and the use of POME with other palm residues aimed at maximizing revenues while reducing environmental impact. The results are then evaluated through a multi-criteria analysis accounting for techno-economic, environmental and social impacts. The study demonstrates that POME treatment can be done in a profitable way resulting in significant reduction of methane emissions. The most interesting option is to generate electricity from biogas and use it on site to produce high-value products such as pellets and crude palm kernel oil. Biorefinery concepts are an opportunity for mill owners to comply with strict environmental regulations while generating extra profits.