The Bali provincial government is planning to install a second liquefied natural gas floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) offshore to improve the island's energy security, as Bali has long depended on power imported from Java. However, the proposed location, just 3.5 kilometres off the coast of Sidakarya in southwest Bali, has generated significant local opposition, particularly from communities concerned about environmental, tourism, and cultural impacts.

Local Opposition and Concerns

There is a significant backlash against the project from communities in Sanur, a traditional fishing village and popular tourist destination. Residents fear the environmental impact of the FSRU and its potential harm to tourism, as the structure would be clearly visible from Sanur and Serangan beaches, and to travelers on boats to the Gilli and Nusa islands. Locals are concerned about marine pollution and the impact on the natural landscape, and they note that other Indonesian FSRUs, such as those at Cilamaya and Lampung, are located more than 20 kilometres from the shore. The chairman of the Sanur Development Foundation, representing both the community and the Indonesian Hotels & Restaurant Association, opposes the plan, citing inevitable social, cultural, environmental, and tourism repercussions that could deter visitors who come for Bali's natural beauty and friendly locals.

Pragmatic Stance and Conditions for Support

In contrast, the head of Serangan village has adopted a more pragmatic approach, acknowledging the benefits of increased clean energy for Bali. However, the community will only support the project if certain conditions are met, including relocating the terminal away from sacred marine protected areas and local fishermen's transit routes. They propose moving the FSRU approximately 1.3 to 1.5 kilometres northeast of the original plan to avoid conflicts with traditional, social, and environmental values. The village leader emphasized that they are not anti-investment or anti-clean energy, but that development must respect local customs and nature. He also referenced official state documents that specify the safe distance should be measured from Serangan Beach, and urged all parties to adhere to these regulations. Noting that the horizon is about 4.7 kilometres away on a clear day, he questioned why the location couldn't be adjusted slightly to prevent conflict and ensure the project truly benefits Bali.

Call for Community Involvement and Existing Infrastructure

The Serangan community seeks active involvement in ongoing consultations to ensure the investment proceeds safely, without conflict, and delivers real benefits. Meanwhile, Bali's first FSRU-based LNG import project has been operational at Tanjung Benoa since 2016. Originally supplied by Gas Entec, it was replaced after two years by the Karunia Dewata FSRU, built by PaxOcean. This existing facility, operated by Jaya Samudra Karunia (JSK), has a storage capacity of 26,000 cubic metres and supplies up to 50 million cubic feet per day of feed gas to a 200-megawatt power plant on the island.