Project Pipeline

NZMATES provides technical assistance at different stages of renewable energy projects to make them viable, attractive, bankable, sustainable, and responsive to needs.

NZMATES collaborates with PLN, EBTKE, Dinas ESDM, and other actors with moving projects forward and getting them to a stage where they are commercially viable or funding-ready. The goal is that quality projects attract interest from other stakeholders, be they government, international donors, community organisations or commercial entities, who can take over the financing and construction of projects. Once financing is secured, NZMATES supports with the implementation, supervision and sustainability planning.

NZMATES works as a project development pipeline with resources available for identification, appraisal, design, engineering, stakeholder engagement, fund-matching, and implementation and O&M support. Below we include examples of some of the projects NZMATES has supported.

Graphic showing the different phases of RE project development for which NZMATES can provide assistance.

Off-Grid Projects

ASSESSMENT AND REFURBISHMENT OF SOLAR POWER PLANT IN TIGA ISLAND

Tiga Island is part of Ureng village – a small touristic area, approximately two hours from Kota Ambon. The island is home to beautiful beaches, world-class diving and snorkeling sites and exquisitely colourful fish and other biodiversity. 

In 2012 a 75kWp solar power plant was installed on Tiga Island to electrify a sub-village, Nusa Ela, with a total estimated population of 370 people or nearly 60 households. The power plant reached its end-of-life in April 2017. Since then PLN provides access to electricity through a diesel power plant that operates 12 hours a day. NZMATES worked with PLN to conduct a technical and socio-economic assessment in Tiga Island in 2019, and develop recommendations for redesigning and refurbishing the system to provide 24-hour electricity for the community by optimizing the use of renewable energy to lower running costs, improve service, reliability, and reduce use of diesel. 

In 2023, the solar power plant in Nusa Ela will be NZMATES’ first pipeline project to reach full implementation in Maluku. Collaborating with PLN, project implementation in Nusa Ela is funded by New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and will cover power plant refurbishment, community engagement, capacity building and sustainability planning together with PLN. 
 

Pulau Tiga resort.
Pulau Tiga resort.
Solar power plant in Nusa Ela, Pulau Tiga.
Solar power plant in Nusa Ela, Pulau Tiga.

 

ASSESSMENT OF SOLAR POWER PLANT IN WISALEAN, EAST SERAM

Wisalean is a village in Panjang Island, East Seram, which housed a 100kWp solar PV array with 480 kWh battery energy storage. The system was built in 2012, and the electricity was distributed to one of the island’s 5 villages via low voltage distribution, providing access to energy to 139 houses. 

However, the system stopped operating in 2018, leaving the community without access to electricity. NZMATES visited Wisalean in April 2019 to conduct a technical and socio-economic assessment, including investigating failure reasons, appraising current assets, understanding community energy needs, and developing recommendations for follow-up actions. 

NZMATES together with PLN are working to refurbish the salvageable assets of the existing PLTS and expand and upgrade the system to be able to provide access to electricity to the whole island. 

NZMATES team arriving at Panjang Island
NZMATES team arriving at Panjang Island

 

Technical assessment at Panjang Island solar power plant
Technical assessment at Panjang Island solar power plant

 


GRID-CONNECTED PROJECTS

ASSESSMENT OF SOLAR POWER PLANT IN KEI BESAR ISLAND, SOUTHEAST MALUKU REGENCY

Until recently, one of the electricity sources in Kei Besar Island was a 200-kWp solar power plant coupled with a diesel generator. The system delivered electricity to some of the island’s many villages, until the solar power plant stopped operating in late 2017. Since then local residents have received 18-24 hours of electricity per day provided by diesel generators.

The main scope of NZMATES’ work in Kei Besar was to explore the current status of the PLN assets and recommend possible ways forward for improving the electricity supply on the island. The assessment was conducted in July 2019 to gather technical and social information regarding the system, including discussion with local stakeholders. NZMATES and PLN are working together to repower the 200 kWp PV array with new AC inverters to reduce by ~5% the diesel fuel consumption. 

NZMATES technical specialists checking electricity grounding in Kei Besar power plant
NZMATES technical specialists checking electricity grounding in Kei Besar power plant
NZMATES team talking with PLN staff at Kei Besar solar power plant
NZMATES team talking with PLN staff at Kei Besar solar power plant

To see more photos from this visit, please see the Gallery

DUE DILIGENCE FOR FEASIBILITY STUDY OF AMBON SOLAR ROOFTOP PROGRAMME

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources’ New and Renewable Energy Division (EBTKE) is presently spearheading a solar PV rooftop program for government buildings across Indonesia. There are 24 buildings that have been preliminarily assessed by a consultant in Maluku alone. NZMATES has supported Dinas ESDM in conducting due-diligence on the feasibility study to provide recommendations. NZMATES looked at the assessments done on interconnection, sizing, financial analysis, design, technological solution, and other key aspects to identify ways to maximize the value for money and cost-efficiency of the current initiative. 

The Solar Rooftop initiative is intended to encourage the grid-connected PV sector in Indonesia to kick-start and showcase benefits of solar PV technologies. 

NZMATES staff with consultants and other stakeholders during solar rooftop site visit in Ambon.
NZMATES team talking with PLN staff at Kei Besar solar power plant

DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF SOLAR LAB AT UNIVERSITAS PATTIMURA, AMBON

One of NZMATES objective is to increase capacity building on renewable energy in Maluku. To achieve this objective, NZMATES collaborates with several education institutions in Ambon, such as Pattimura University (UNPATTI). Currently, NZMATES is designing Solar Lab for UNPATTI. The solar lab is an educational project to support Pattimura University’s capacity to deliver renewable energy training. It will be combined with support in developing curricula and training materials. Additionally, the Solar Lab in UNPATTI will be the first grid-connected solar installation in Ambon.