Energy, It is really our problems

When you see this picture you will probably ask whether there is a relationship between the coconut tree and our energy problems. I say yes! This is one of the energy source and the way to adapt to a limited acces to the commercial energy or let we say the oils for rural communities. I took this picture when I visited Pasir Mendit, Jangkaran Village, Yogyakarta in September 2005, less than a month before goverment made a new oil price on October 1, 2005 (I mention new price because it increased more than 100% in average).

At the top of cocconut tree, height more or less 10 meters, you saw a man with a red t-shirt in the first picture. This was the man, age more than 55 years old who collected dry part of cocconut stem and midrib as the main source of energy for daily cooking. He moves from one cocconut tree to other trees 2-3 times a week to support his family energy needs. Thank God, this village full of cocconut trees that also become one of the income source beside the main from farming-base activities. Recently people also diversifying their income sources as the fisher as well as aquaculturist.

As the oil become the goverment main concern and the main energy source (curently it contributes 63% of primary energy consumption), the other energy source such as renewable energy did not well promote. This country did generated high economic advantages (economic windfall)from the high international oil price in 1970s as Indonesia become the oil net-exporter country. However, the current price to reach US$50 per barrel give worse impact to Indonesian economy as the country switch to the net-importer. As the price increased to reach US$ 70 per barrel in the September 2005, the government predicted the oil subsidy would close to 4.3% of GDP and the deficit of budged reached 1.7% of GDP. Thus, energy will become very crusial issues for the sustainable development including the rural areas.

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