$3 Billion Mandalika Project: A sustainable development for Lombok including a notable emphasis on sustainable energy and the latest in green technology

In a project that is indicative of government plans to develop tourism in new areas of Indonesia, the island of Lombok has seen huge investment and dramatic changes over the past few months. The sustainable developments include a notable emphasis on sustainable energy and the latest in green technology.

The project in question is being referred to as a ‘mega resort’, comprising numerous hotels, facilities and attractions spread out over 1,250 hectares in the Mandalika area of the island.

Among the hotel’s brands slated to open are Pullman, Club Med, Royal Tulip, Marriott and InterContinental. About 1,500 hotel rooms are expected to be operational by 2018, said Edwin Darmasetiawan, development director at the Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC).

The Indonesia state-owned firm working on tourism development in the Mandalika special economic zone (KEK) in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, is progressing with its plans to revamp infrastructure in the region, including access roads, water treatment facilities and solar power plants. These initial developments will pave the way for some of the biggest investment ever seen in Lombok’s tourism sector.

In a bid to secure a green and sustainable future for the region, the Mandalika project includes the infrastructure building programs including solar power plants, water treatment facilities and 51% dedicated ‘green space’. According to ITDC, the solar power plant will utilize land under the solar panels as a greenhouse to grow crops organically. The company will develop the solar power plant in stages and expects it to reach full capacity by 2019.

In addition, an electric train network will be set up to provide an eco-friendly mode of transportation. In synergy with the natural settings, the project will also feature a cable car for public recreational transport.

Such hybrid energy technology is projected to provide half of the resort’s power demand, projected to reach 110 megawatts by 2025.

The ambitious sustainable development project from the ITDC also sets out their plan to involve and empower the local people of Lombok, creating around 5,000 new jobs and offering various empowerment programs, especially for those who lived in the Mandalika area. These include English language courses and hospitality training.

Construction of the Mandalika Grand Mosque has also begun, helping to make the KEK Mandalika a Muslim-friendly destination and contribute further to the local community.

With its cutting-edge construction and superior facilities, along with the natural beauty and cultural authenticity of its surroundings, the Mandalika has the potential to become a truly world-class tourism destination.

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