In the implementation of the JETP program, the Blawan-Ijen geothermal power plant project in East Java secured substantial funding, including USD 126 million from the DFC. However, field studies show that the project’s implementation falls far short of the “just” principles promised in the JETP documents. There is a discrepancy between the Environmental Impact Assessment (AMDAL) and practices on the ground, from consultations held only through the Village Heads Forum without directly involving residents, to community complaints that went unanswered by the company.
Instead of delivering the benefits of clean energy, the Ijen geothermal power plant project has instead caused social, economic, and ecological harm to surrounding residents, including the loss of farmland and environmental damage, with losses valued at billions of rupiah. This disparity shows that the project’s benefits are enjoyed largely by outside parties, while local communities bear the consequences. For JETP’s principles of justice to be truly realized, fair compensation and meaningful community involvement at every stage of implementation are essential.
In the implementation of the JETP program, the Blawan-Ijen geothermal power plant project in East Java secured major funding, including USD 126 million from the DFC. However, field studies reveal that its execution falls short of the “just” principles promised in the JETP framework. Discrepancies were found between the Environmental Impact Assessment and actual practice on the ground, particularly in terms of transparency—where consultations were only held with the Village Head Forum, excluding direct community participation—and community complaints were left unaddressed by the company.
Instead of delivering the benefits of clean energy, the Ijen project has brought social, economic, and ecological harm to surrounding communities, including farmland loss and environmental damage, with estimated losses reaching billions of rupiah. This imbalance shows that while external parties reap the benefits, local residents are left to bear the costs. To truly uphold the principles of a just transition, fair compensation and meaningful community participation must be ensured at every stage of JETP implementation.
Mining False Solutions: The Ijen Geothermal Report (nv) Download
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