Governance Reform for Geothermal Power Expansion in the Context of a Just Energy Transition Framework

Shalomita Trifosa (Faculty of Law, Padjadjaran University, Indonesia)
Ida Nurlinda (Faculty of Law, Padjadjaran University, Indonesia)
Nadia Astriani (Faculty of Law, Padjadjaran University, Indonesia)

Unifikasi : Jurnal Ilmu Hukum
Vol. 13 No. 01 (2026)

The Ulumbu Geothermal Power Plant (GPP) expansion project in Poco Leok is sparking resistance from indigenous communities, reflecting the broader agrarian conflict in Indonesian energy transition landscape. This tension exposes a significant gap between clean energy ambitions and the protection of local community rights. Purpose: This study aims to analyze the inconsistencies of the agrarian regulatory framework in geothermal energy development against the principles of a just energy transition. Methods: In order to achieve the stated objective, a juridical-normative method was adopted, drawing on legislative and conceptual approaches. Accordingly, relevant regulations were examined through three dimensions of justice, namely recognition justice, procedural justice, and distributive justice. Results: The analysis uncovers three fundamental weaknesses. First, existing regulations do not guarantee certainty regarding the subjects and objects of customary land prior to land acquisition, constituting a recognition crisis. Second, there are no explicit regulations governing the implementation of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) and transparency standards, reflecting a procedural crisis. Third, weak oversight triggers an unequal distribution of ecological risks for communities, amounting to a distributive crisis. The analysis also showed that current renewable energy acceleration policies tend to focus on facilitating permits rather than strengthening local partnerships. Conclusion: The current renewable energy regulatory framework has the potential to reproduce extractive development patterns that deepen agrarian and social inequalities in the region. Suggestion: Governance reform is needed through mandatory pre-licensing customary land identification, normative codification of FPIC, and the strengthening of geothermal sector regulatory institutions. Contribution: This study enriches energy and agrarian law scholarship by integrating a just transition perspective as an evaluative framework for regulations in Indonesia.