Mentari Pujantoro

Master´s Thesis Title: Enabling Sustainable Wind Energy Development in Asia Pacific

Renewable capacity expansion continues to be driven mostly by new installations of wind energy. Almost three-quarter of new wind energy capacity in 2016 installed in just four countries, led by China, the US, Germany, and India. The notable wind energy expansion in China indicates potential development to other neighbouring countries in Asia Pacific. Diverse physical traits of Asia Pacific countries enable both onshore development in vast land and offshore development in several land-constrained markets. It is of interest to analyse criteria to enable sustainable development of wind energy in an emerging market. Despite the high potential for mitigating climate change, extensive wind energy development in sensitive locations might threaten the ecological diversity fundamental to future generations. This study consolidated enabling criteria in social, economic, environmental, and institutional dimension. The criteria are renewable energy target, value chain availability, permit process, financial incentives, market growth, grid access priority, wind resource, land use competition, sitting regulation, stakeholder involvement, affordability and advanced technology. The suitability of APEC Countries is assessed by utilizing these criteria under multi-criteria decision-making scheme. Germany, a wind energy pioneer, is taken as the benchmark country. The result reveals Japan to have high suitability. Analytic Hierarchy Process indicated renewable energy target, financial incentives, and wind resource to be the most determinant criteria in enabling wind energy development. However, lessons learned from Germany indicated to focus on clarity of support mechanism, sitting regulations and its derivatives. The criteria are expected to serve as holistic advice for policy maker in enabling sustainable wind energy deployment.

Mentari is studying Sustainable Resource Management with specialization of climate change and renewable resources. Born in Utsunomiya, Japan, she spent some of her childhood time in Japan before moving to Indonesia. She studied environmental engineering in Institut Teknologi Bandung. After her bachelor degree, she worked as an environmental consultant which roles included impact assessment, regulatory, and master plan advisory. Prior to her master thesis, she was working in environmental and sustainability department in a German energy company. Her research interest is in energy transition and policy, risk assessment, access to energy and clean water, and ocean protection.