The Accelerating Clean Energy Access to Reduce Inequality (ACCESS) project has been named a winner of the 2025 Subroto Award, Indonesia’s highest honor in the energy and mineral resources sector.

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) recognized the project in the Renewable Energy Infrastructure Development and Management category. The award highlights the project's significant contribution to expanding renewable energy access and fostering community-based development in the nation's remote and underserved areas.

ACCESS was recognized for creating a successful and replicable model where local, trained institutions now manage the infrastructure. This ensures the solar plants are well-maintained, protected, and fully utilized for both public facilities and productive economic activities, setting a benchmark for other off-grid energy programs.

Powering Rural Communities

Implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the ACCESS project ran from 2020 to 2025. It targeted 22 villages across four Indonesian provinces—East Nusa Tenggara, West Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, and Central Kalimantan—as well as 25 villages in Timor-Leste.

With total funding of $15.03 million for Indonesia and $3 million for Timor Leste, the project focused on building resilient renewable energy infrastructure. This included the installation of solar power plants (PLTS) and related systems with a combined capacity of 1.1 megawatts.

These facilities have provided clean and reliable electricity to 3,449 households, benefiting more than 22,000 people. The project also emphasized inclusivity, ensuring at least 30 percent of its direct beneficiaries were women.

From Kilowatts to Livelihoods

Beyond improving access to energy, the project has been a catalyst for local economic growth, with a significant focus on women's economic empowerment. Of the 32 micro and small enterprises (MSMEs) that received financial support from the project, 30 are women-led. These enterprises have reported increased profits, demonstrating a direct positive impact on local livelihoods.

This economic energy ripples outward to the entire community. In several project sites, village-owned enterprises (BUMDesa) have also leveraged new, reliable electricity to create their own opportunities and build self-sufficiency. These ventures include small-scale trading, livestock farming, photocopy services, and even excavator rentals, with businesses reporting monthly revenues between Rp 1.5 million and Rp 11.6 million. This shows a clear pathway from basic access to durable, community-owned success.

Bridging the 'Last Mile' Gap

The project's success is particularly relevant as Indonesia nears a major national milestone. As of May 2025, the national electrification ratio stands at 99.8 percent.

While this marks a significant achievement, the remaining 0.2 percent represents the most remote, sparsely populated, and geographically challenging areas in the archipelago. Reaching these "last mile" communities often requires adaptive solutions where extending the national grid is not feasible or is expensive. The ACCESS project serves as a proven model for how decentralized renewable energy systems, combined with active community participation, can bridge this final gap.

The Subroto Award for ACCESS underscores that the final push toward 100 percent electrification must be both sustainable and inclusive. The project's experience demonstrates that access to clean energy is not only about connectivity but is a critical foundation for building rural resilience and strengthening livelihoods. By ensuring long-term economic empowerments for all Indonesians, including those in the most remote areas, such initiatives help build the broad-based economic participation vital for achieving national target of 8% economic growth.