JAKARTA (UCAN): The World Bank cancelled funding for a geothermal project in Indonesia’s Flores Island amid mounting opposition from villagers and a group of Catholics activists.
In an official letter, the local government of the West Manggarai regency in Nussa Tenggara province, communicated the World Bank’s decision to the villagers on October 25.
“The World Bank is no longer involved in financing the project,” the letter, signed by Edistasius Endi, the regent of West Manggarai, said.
Endi said that the project would continue “by the government using the geothermal sector infrastructure financing scheme.” He also invited residents to attend a meeting on November 9 to discuss implementation plans with new funders.
The cancellation of funding by the World Bank came after its representatives met directly with residents twice last year, responding to residents’ requests in letters accusing the project of violating their rights.
During a visit in December, residents protested before a meeting of community leaders and World Bank representatives.
Catholic villager, Rofinus Rabun, said they will continue to oppose the project because it has not been cancelled; only the funders have changed.
“As long as Wae Sano geothermal is in people’s living space, there is only one word; we reject it,” he said on October 26.
The main problem is not the funding, but that the project disrupts people’s lives, both environmentally and socially
Father Tukan
Yosef Erwin Rahmat, another villager, said that the community’s stance has not changed, saying, “No matter who funds it, we will reject it.”
The power project is part of the national strategic project, and aims to generate 35 megawatts of geothermal energy.
The Indonesian government named Flores a geothermal island in 2017 with plans to impliment geothermal projects in 17 locations as part of its efforts to shift from fossil energy to renewable energy.
While the villagers opposed the project citing possible negative impacts on the environment and agriculture, it has divided the Church.
The Diocese of Ruteng, which covers three regencies in the west part of Flores: Manggarai, West Manggarai and East Manggarai, allegedly supported the project.
However, the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission [JPIC], as well as the Franciscan order and the Society of the Divine Word expressed solidarity with the protesters.
In May 2020, Bishop Siprianus Hormat of Ruteng sent a letter to the president, Joko Widodo, recommending the project continue. The letter drew protests from villagers, who accused the bishop of ignoring their voices.
Father Simon Suban Tukan, coordinator of Divine Word JPIC Commission, said they appreciate the World Bank withdrawing from the project as it respects the villagers’ concerns. However, “the problem is far from over,” he said on October 26.
“The main problem is not the funding, but that the project disrupts people’s lives, both environmentally and socially,” he explained.
Villagers have opposed the project since it was proposed in 2015, pointing to the dangers of harnessing energy from heat under the earth’s surface, close to their homes in the earthquake-prone district.
