Indonesian Journal of Energy
Vol. 9 No. 1 (2026): Indonesian Journal of Energy

Ar-Rahnu Energy Cooperative (AREC): A Community-Based Microfinance Model for Green Development in Indigenous Aceh

Mustaqilla, Nazhira (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
27 Feb 2026

Abstract

The tradition of gold dowries in Aceh has resulted in women owning significant amounts of gold, yet these assets often remain unproductive and are merely stored as passive savings. This study explores the Gala or Ar-Rahnu or Jeulamee tradition and proposes a community-based financing model that optimizes unproductive gold as capital for Energy Independent Villages in Aceh. The novelty of this research lies in introducing Jeulamee as an alternative financing mechanism for renewable energy. This approach has not been previously examined while designing a closed-loop ecosystem to ensure sustainable energy production at the community level. Employing a mixed methods approach, including Location Quotient, Dynamic Location Quotient, Shift Share, and Input-Output analysis, the study identifies strategic sectors for sustainable energy development and formulates the Ar-Rahnu Energy Cooperative concept. By integrating Islamic microfinance, indigenous cultural practices, and blockchain-based gold tokenization, this research contributes to the literature on green financing while offering practical implications for women’s economic empowerment, improved access to clean energy, and the advancement of inclusive and sustainable energy transitions in indigenous communities.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

IJE

Publisher

Subject

Energy

Description

The journal covers research with a strong focus on energy economics, energy analysis, energy modeling, and prediction, integrated energy systems, energy planning, and energy management. The journal also welcomes papers on related topics such as energy conservation, energy efficiency, energy ...