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MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development

global challenges, engineering solutions
 

Financing a Low/Zero Carbon Electricity Generation Mix for Indonesia’s New Capital City

This dissertation furthers the vibrant conversation around renewable energy and climate finance. It focuses on the planned 2024 relocation of the Indonesian capital from Jakarta, which faces devastating climate impacts, to East Kalimantan, a province with vast coal deposits and lush rainforest. While the government intends to develop renewable energy technologies to deliver low-carbon electricity to the new capital, a closer examination reveals the challenges. The research methodology is divided into three parts. First, an analysis of the electricity generation mix of low-carbon cities globally with a population of more than three million is conducted. Second, the renewable energy potential of East Kalimantan is analysed and a renewable energy installation mix is put forward. Finally, financing methods—primarily debt instruments such as green bonds, transition bonds, sustainability-linked loans, and sukuk (1)are assessed.  

The dissertation argues that the adverse social and environmental impacts posed by renewable energy projects can be mitigated through the use of green and transition bonds in conjunction with covenants, transparency in reporting, and certification by independent parties. Sukuk can also play a role, as they require proceeds to be used to acquire tangible assets and not to fund the general financial needs of the issuer. Therefore, the creation of a ‘Green Sukuk’, which would receive the same level of scrutiny as green bonds, could potentially be used to curb greenwashing by ensuring that the funds are used for identified renewable energy assets. 

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(1) Sukuk are financial products whose terms and structures comply with Sharia, with the intention of creating returns similar to those of conventional fixed-income instruments like bonds (Debashis Dey, 2020). 

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Course Overview

Context

The need to engage in better problem definition through careful dialogue with all stakeholder groups and a proper recognition of context.

Perspectives

An ability to work with specialists from other disciplines and professional groups acknowledging that technical innovation and business skills also must be understood, nurtured and combined as precursors to the successful implementation of sustainable solutions.

Change

An understanding of mechanisms for managing change in organisations so future engineers are equipped to play a leadership role.

Tools

An awareness of a range of assessment frameworks, sustainability metrics and methodologies such as Life Cycle Analysis, Systems Dynamics, Multi-Criteria Decision making and Impact Assessment.