Protests at Geothermal Convention Highlight Local Impacts
On September 17, 2025, a coalition of civil society organizations staged a protest at the 11th Indonesia International Geothermal Convention and Exhibition in Jakarta. Groups including JATAM, Terranusa Indonesia Institute, SP-NTT Youth, and Indigenous Land Advocacy Network (JAGAD) criticized the government’s fast-paced push to develop geothermal
resources across numerous Geothermal Work Areas (WKPs). Protesters said the expansion—especially in 63 designated WKPs covering over 3.57 million hectares—has been accompanied by land seizures, inadequate consultation, and a pattern of marginalizing indigenous populations.
Risks to Land, Water, and Rights
Community members from Poco Leok, Mataloko, Manggarai in East Nusa Tenggara, plus regions such as Sorik Marapi (North Sumatra) and Dieng (Central Java), raised concerns of environmental damage, including contamination of springs, loss of forest cover, sulfur gas exposure, and forced displacement. In some cases, protesters say hot mud or sulfur emissions have spread into farmland; others report sacred or customary lands being leased or licensed without Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). They argue that licensing tends to favor investors and regulators over affected communities, who face health, livelihood, and cultural disruptions.
License to Operate & Governance Challenges
These protests and allegations pose a serious challenge to the social license to operate for geothermal developers and the government. Key risks include reputational loss, project delays, legal action, and heightened regulatory scrutiny. For the state, balancing energy transition goals with human rights, environmental protection, and meaningful stakeholder consent becomes increasingly urgent. The way forward will require more transparent licensing, stronger implementation of FPIC, and better systems to address disaster-risk prone geographies given Indonesia’s volcanic terrain.