Indonesia: Community Alliance calls for cancellation of controversial Geothermal Project in Flores

A coalition of environmental and social justice organizations under the Aliansi TERLIBAT Bersama KORBAN Geothermal Flores (ALTER KGF) has strongly opposed the construction of a geothermal power plant in Mataloko, Ngada Regency, citing environmental destruction, threats to local agriculture, and violations of indigenous rights.

In a letter dated March 12, 2025, sent to the Regent of Ngada, ALTER KGF, which is made up of advocacy groups like Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC), SVD Ende, JPIC SVD Ruteng, JPIC OFM, JPIC Keuskupan Agung Ende, Forum Pemuda Peduli Lingkungan Hidup Paroki Roh Kudus Mataloko, and IFTK Ledalero Student Executive Board, asked that the geothermal project be canceled right away because it would hurt local people's ability to make a living and goes against national policies on food sovereignty.

According to ALTER KGF, the geothermal project now extends over 996.2 hectares of productive farmland, land that has sustained indigenous families for generations.

"The government should prioritize the people's need for food and environmental sustainability over an energy project that does not benefit local communities," they asserted.

The coalition strongly condemned the decision to convert agricultural land into an industrial project, calling it "counterproductive to national food sovereignty policies."

They argued that instead of ensuring a stable food supply, the project threatens local farming, damages crop yields, and worsens environmental degradation.

ALTER KGF raised grave concerns about the escalating social conflicts, land disputes, and human rights violations linked to the geothermal project. They warned that if the project continues, thousands of hectares of farmland will be lost, leaving families displaced and without food sources. 

Protesters voiced their frustration, asking, "Which matters more—our lives or the profits of geothermal investors? Must we sacrifice our land and livelihoods so that others can prosper at our expense?"

The coalition vowed to escalate its protests if the government continues to support the project, stating, "We will not hesitate to occupy the project site if our demands are ignored."

ALTER KGF emphasized that the geothermal project violates Indonesia’s constitutional principles on social justice and environmental protection (Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution). 

The alliance also warned that the project could lead to water contamination, destruction of indigenous cultural sites, and displacement of entire communities.

“This project does not serve the people; it enriches investors while leaving the local community in ruins. Families are already suffering from damaged homes, lost farmland, and polluted water sources,” the statement read. The coalition highlighted reports of land conflicts, agrarian violence, and even killings within affected families.

The geothermal expansion also threatens indigenous communities, putting sacred sites, ancestral lands, and traditional gathering spaces at risk. ALTER KGF raised the critical question: "Is the government of Ngada more interested in protecting corporate interests than in safeguarding its people and cultural heritage?"

The controversy has gained international attention. The United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva has received reports on the issue from VIVAT International, an ECOSOC-affiliated NGO working on global justice issues.

Additionally, on March 8, 2025, Solidaritas Perempuan FLOBAMORATAS, a women's advocacy network in Kupang, urged Indonesian Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia to revoke Ministerial Decree No. 2268 K/30/MEM/2017, which designates Flores as a geothermal development zone. 

The group argues that geothermal expansion disproportionately affects women, stripping them of agricultural livelihoods and essential natural resources.

ALTER KGF agrees with Solidaritas Perempuan FLOBAMORATAS and wants the Ngada Regent and Regional Parliament (DPRD) to officially ask the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources to take away Flores' geothermal designation.

The coalition emphasized that the fight is not just about rejecting a power plant—it is about securing land rights, environmental sustainability, and social justice for future generations of Flores residents.

"We call on the local government, the Catholic Church, and all institutions to stand with the people and ensure they retain control over their land, water, and cultural heritage," the statement concluded.