Recently, the discourse on “just energy transition” or equitable energy transition has often faced definitional debates. What kind of justice? Who is on its side? Or how to implement it? Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Indonesia seeks to contribute to efforts to translate the concept of a just energy transition into something more operational while also siding with vulnerable groups and specifically using intersectionality analysis, namely rural women and women with disabilities. Given that vulnerable groups such as women are often marginalized due to injustice in gender construction, especially in the energy sector, which is known to be masculine.

PWYP Indonesia has prepared a monitoring guide to operationalize the concept of a just energy transition that explicitly targets the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) Indonesia program in the Hydropower Plant (PLTA) project. Currently, JETP Indonesia, as the initiator of the energy transition program, explicitly carries the concept of “just” with various derivatives of its justice concept, outlined in the Comprehensive Investment and Policy Plan (CIPP) document. Clearly, JETP states that one of its pillars is to leave no one behind to prioritize protection for vulnerable groups. In addition, it also emphasizes the value of gender equality in its program design.

Related to hydropower, as a renewable energy that is considered capable of playing a significant role in electricity governance in Indonesia, it turns out that it also has significant risks of social, economic, and environmental impacts. At the community level, especially vulnerable groups with intersectionality are the parties most susceptible to this impact. One is water, the primary hydropower energy source, and an essential human life need. Women attached to the standardization of domestic roles highly depend on clean water. Therefore, women will be at high risk of being impacted if there is a disruption to the cycle of providing clean water or other natural resources due to the operation of hydropower in their residential areas.