Samosir, N. Sumatra. Indonesia and the United Kingdom have partnered on a solar-powered irrigation project in North Sumatra that aims to increase rice production, cut farming costs and help farmers adapt to climate change.

The solar-powered water pumping system in Sibonor Ompu Ratus village, Samosir, was formally inaugurated on Saturday after being completed and passing commissioning in May. The project was developed under the second phase of the Low Carbon Development Initiative (LCDI), a program implemented in cooperation between Indonesia's Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) and the UK government.

Leonardo A. A. T. Sambodo, Bappenas' deputy for food, natural resources and environmental affairs, said the pilot showed how renewable energy could address multiple development challenges at once.

"This project shows that solutions for productivity in the economic sector, particularly agriculture, can also deliver multiple benefits by utilizing renewable energy," Leonardo said at the inauguration.

The system draws water from Lake Toba, the world's largest volcanic lake, to irrigate 82 hectares of rain-fed rice fields and serve 749 farmers who have traditionally been limited to one growing season a year. The project is expected to increase annual rice production from about 50 tons to 150 tons, according to project data.

It also replaces gasoline-powered irrigation pumps, cutting farmers' operating costs to zero while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 10.18 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent a year.

The project is part of Indonesia's efforts to strengthen food, energy and water security under its 2025-2029 national medium-term development plan, Leonardo said.

"Through collaboration with the UK government, this is one of the efforts to show how global partnerships can help Indonesia make its transition and strengthen its resilience," he said.

UK-Indonesia Climate Partnership
The UK government said the project demonstrated its partnership with Indonesia on climate resilience and sustainable development.

"The inauguration of the solar-powered water pump in Samosir reflects the strong partnership between the United Kingdom and Indonesia in addressing the impacts of climate change while supporting sustainable development," Freddie Brunt, the UK Embassy's deputy development director, said at the event.

Drought and the effects of El Nino are putting increasing pressure on water resources and food production, making practical measures to strengthen climate resilience more important, Brunt said.

The UK is supporting Indonesia's low-carbon development through several programs, including LCDI Phase 2 and broader cooperation on the country's energy transition.

The two countries are also working together under Indonesia's Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). The partnership was launched in 2022 with a goal of mobilizing $20 billion in public and private financing for Indonesia's transition toward cleaner energy. The UK has committed a $1 billion World Bank guarantee to support the partnership.

Expanding the Model
The Sibonor project is scheduled to be replicated in Pakpahan village, Onan Runggu district, in the second half of 2026.

The planned system will serve 73 hectares of rain-fed rice fields cultivated by 903 farmers. Replacing gasoline-powered irrigation pumps is expected to reduce emissions by 7.32 tons of CO2e a year while increasing annual rice production from 96 tons to 288 tons.

Together, the two projects are projected to increase farmers' incomes by more than Rp 2 billion ($111,800) a year.

Samosir Regent Vandiko Timotius Gultom said the solar-powered system could allow farmers to increase cultivation from one crop a year to two or even three.

"We hope this can improve farmers' welfare, strengthen the local economy and support food security in Samosir," Vandiko said.

North Sumatra faces growing pressure on its agricultural sector from climate change. Agriculture, forestry and fisheries accounted for 24.44% of the province's gross regional domestic product in 2024, making reliable water supplies increasingly important for rural communities.

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