Tepal Village in Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara, is known for producing high-quality coffee. Yet behind its mountainous beauty lies a major challenge: limited access to electricity due to the village’s lack of connection to the national power grid. To meet their energy needs, the community relies on a micro-hydropower plant (PLTMH), a small-scale power system that uses river flow to generate electricity for the village.

For years, Tepal has depended on a PLTMH with a capacity of up to 40 kW. However, with a manual operating system, limited operators, and aging equipment, less than 50 percent of its potential capacity has been utilized. As a result, public facilities are only partially lit, cultural activities are often disrupted, and household electricity access remains uneven. This situation reflects a broader challenge across Indonesia, where around 35 percent of the country’s approximately 150 PLTMH units are aging installations with conventional systems that frequently experience technical problems.

Innovation from the East: MHGen-C revitalizes Legacy PLTMH systems

Energi Timur Nusa Power explaining the MHGen-C system

To address this issue, Energi Timur Nusa Power, a startup from Sumbawa, developed MHGen-C (Modular Hydro Generator Controller), an automated control system designed to replace the manual operations of older micro-hydropower plants. Combined with smart substations and an energy monitoring system, MHGen-C delivers more stable, efficient, and equitable electricity distribution.

Beyond improving power plant performance, MHGen-C significantly eases the workload of village operators who previously had to make constant manual adjustments throughout the day. The community feels the impact directly: lights no longer flicker, electrical loads are better balanced, and nighttime activities can proceed without interruption.

Advancing through the KINETIK NEX Program

This innovation led Energi Timur Nusa Power to be selected as one of Indonesia’s top 15 startups to participate in the KINETIK NEX Entrepreneurship Program, organized by New Energy Nexus Indonesia with support from KINETIK, the Australia–Indonesia Partnership for Climate, Renewable Energy, and Infrastructure.

Through training, mentoring, and network expansion, the team strengthened its business model, refined the MHGen-C implementation plan, and sharpened its pitch for Demo Day. They went on to become finalists and presented MHGen-C at the [RE]Spark: Clean Energy & Climate Startup Festival 2025 on 15 November 2025 in Jakarta.

Their presentation convinced the judges that MHGen-C not only improves the technical performance of micro-hydropower systems, but also simplifies operations and delivers tangible benefits to communities, from steady lighting to fairer power distribution that supports uninterrupted nighttime activities. On the strength of this combined technical potential and social impact, Energi Timur Nusa Power was awarded a KINETIK NEX Entrepreneurship Program grant of up to IDR 1.6 billion, alongside four other startups.

Tangible impact: Stable energy, stronger local economies

With MHGen-C, the technical performance of PLTMH systems can increase to 70–80 percent, delivering meaningful improvements for communities:

• Processing units for agricultural and coffee products can operate longer, boosting productivity and income
• Public services become more reliable, including clinics and community facilities that require stable lighting
• Children can study at night without disruption due to inconsistent electricity
• Cultural events and community meetings can take place without power interruptions, strengthening social life

Stable energy is not just about lighting. It is about expanding opportunities and improving quality of life.

Communities as partners, not just beneficiaries

Energi Timur Nusa Power understands that technology succeeds only when communities are actively involved. The company adopts a community-based approach through village consultations, technology socialization, and the use of energy limiters within an integrated energy management system to ensure fair power distribution.

They have also designed a cooperative-based partnership model to support independent PLTMH management, accompanied by technical training and long-term maintenance services. This approach ensures that the technology is not only installed, but truly owned and operated by the community.

Reaching more villages in Eastern Indonesia

Energi Timur Nusa Power was recognized as a recipient of the KINETIK NEX Entrepreneurship Program grant, represented by Natalie Mandelsohn, Counsellor for Infrastructure and Climate Change at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

“We will use this grant funding to run pilot projects and then replicate MHGen-C technology across micro-hydropower plants, especially in eastern Indonesia,” said Mukhtar Hadi, Founder and CEO of Energi Timur Nusa Power.

Hadi added that the KINETIK NEX program provided strategic direction and more structured expansion opportunities. Over the next 10 years, Energi Timur Nusa Power aims to deploy MHGen-C across villages in Sumbawa with aging PLTMH systems up to 20 years old, while strengthening education around power plant performance and the importance of equitable energy access in addressing energy inequality.

The journey of Energi Timur Nusa Power demonstrates how local innovation can respond to energy challenges in remote areas. This spirit is also what the team hopes to pass on to the next generation of energy entrepreneurs.

“To friends who want to start businesses in the energy and climate sector, never be afraid to try,” said Mietra Anggara, COO of Energi Timur Nusa Power. “Share your ideas, create, innovate. God willing, your work will benefit many people. Wishing you continued success.”

For clean energy and climate startups seeking similar support, stay tuned for updates on the next KINETIK NEX Program from New Energy Nexus Indonesia.

Follow @energi.timur on Instagram for updates on their journey, project developments, and their commitment to delivering smart microgrid solutions that empower remote communities and advance a clean energy future.

Written by: Shilfina Putri Widatama
Photos by: Impresif