Integrating Renewable Energy and Rural Innovation: A Case Study of the Rumah Energi Program in Indonesia
Keywords:
Renewable Energy, Village Innovation, Community Empowerment, Circular EconomyAbstract
Rural innovation in Indonesia increasingly depends on access to sustainable energy solutions. Despite growing attention to renewable energy initiatives, the integration of such programs into rural development and community empowerment models remains underexplored. This study aims to analyze how renewable energy initiatives, particularly biogas and solar energy, contribute to rural innovation, community empowerment, and environmental sustainability through the Rumah Energi Program in Indonesia. Employing a qualitative case study approach, the research utilizes document analysis of Rumah Energi’s annual reports (2017–2023), reviews program implementation data across multiple provinces, and synthesizes secondary literature on rural development and renewable energy transitions. The findings reveal that the Rumah Energi Program has facilitated the construction of over 29,000 biogas units, trained more than 370 farmers in bio-slurry utilization, engaged 162 construction partners, and reduced approximately 528,000 tCO₂e emissions. In addition, gender-focused initiatives, such as Pro-Women for Renewable Energy, have strengthened the participation of women farmers and local champions in rural innovation. These outcomes demonstrate that renewable energy initiatives not only mitigate environmental burdens but also generate tangible economic benefits, including household savings on LPG and fertilizers, while fostering community-driven models of sustainability. Overall, the Rumah Energi Program provides a replicable framework for integrating renewable energy and rural innovation in developing countries, and future research should explore comparative models across Southeast Asia to assess scalability, policy integration, and long-term sustainability impacts.
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