Camat’s September directive heightens tensions over Atadei geothermal project

Labuan Bajo — A new directive from the Atadei sub-district chief in Lembata, East Nusa Tenggara, has sharpened community tensions over the Atadei geothermal power project, with local groups warning the order could curb public discussion of the development.

Floresa.co reported that Atadei Camat Marianus Demoor issued a circular dated 14 September 2026 to village authorities in his sub-district. The letter asked village heads to report public meetings and urged government and non-government actors not to use houses of worship for outreach activities. Demoor said the instruction was aimed at preventing horizontal conflict and maintaining public order, not at targeting opponents of the geothermal project.

The circular was addressed to village governments and copied to the Lembata regent, local police and military representatives, and Catholic Church officials, according to Floresa.co’s report. The outlet quoted Demoor as saying he would clarify the letter and explain the legal basis for his guidance.

Residents opposed to the project interpret the directive differently. Floresa.co reported that an alliance called the Atadei Solidarity Group for the Integrity of Creation issued a written statement rejecting the camat’s order. The group argued that such instructions risk limiting residents’ rights to assemble, associate and voice their views on the geothermal development.

Concerns over consultation and land acquisition

Opposition to the Atadei project predates the latest dispute over the sub-district chief’s circular. Betahita.id reported that customary communities in Atakore reject plans to build a geothermal power plant on their customary land, citing inadequate socialisation and unresolved questions about environmental and cultural impacts. The project is being developed by PT PLN (Persero) Unit Induk Pembangunan Nusa Tenggara (UIP Nusra) with a planned capacity of 10 megawatts.

Floresa.co’s reporting from Atadei highlights residents’ complaints about how project information has been shared. According to that account, residents have raised questions about planned drilling areas identified as AT-1 and AT-2 well pads and a potential expansion area referred to as AT-1 New. Community members say they lack clear information on the location and extent of these areas and worry about the consequences for nearby settlements and agricultural land.

In Media Indonesia’s coverage of Atadei, youth in Atakore criticised PLN for continuing land identification and inventory steps without first providing comprehensive explanations on geological risks and disaster mitigation. They said this fell short of expectations set during previous socialisation events with geothermal experts and customary leaders.

Project status and official backing

The Atadei geothermal project is designated as a national strategic project and forms part of Indonesia’s wider transition to renewable energy. Government and company sources describe it as a 10 MW development, structured as a 2×5 MW plant.

According to the Lembata regency government’s official website, PLN’s Nusa Tenggara development unit has obtained key permits, including a Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources decree assigning geothermal development rights in Atadei, a principle permit for plant construction from the Lembata investment office, and approval for strategic land-use from the national land agency. PLN representatives told local officials that land acquisition for the project covers around 4.65 hectares and that the plant is targeted to begin operations around 2027.

Company representatives have repeatedly sought support from local government and church leaders, framing the project as central to plans to supply Lembata with renewable electricity. At the same time, community groups, including church-linked justice and peace bodies, have voiced reservations about geothermal developments in Flores and Lembata, citing social and ecological concerns.

Unresolved conflict over participation

Floresa.co reported that residents in Atadei have conveyed objections to the project orally and in writing through village officials and the sub-district administration. They also say they presented their concerns to a team appointed by the governor of East Nusa Tenggara that visited Atadei in May 2025 as part of a broader review of geothermal sites. The article did not specify any conclusions from that team’s work.

Media reports indicate that protests and public statements continue around the Atadei project, including demands for more robust consultation, clearer disaster mitigation plans and fuller recognition of customary decision-making processes. The latest dispute over Demoor’s September circular adds a governance dimension to the conflict, with critics warning that restrictions on where and how public meetings can be held may further narrow community space to debate a contested development.

Sources

• ThinkGeoEnergy report on PLN seeking local government support for Atadei geothermal project
• MediaIndonesia coverage of Lembata regent and deputy backing PLTP Atadei development
• Lembata Regency Government website on meeting to present Atadei PLTP land acquisition plan
• Floresa.co in-depth report on government and developer responses to social-ecological issues of geothermal projects
• Betahita.id report on Atakore residents rejecting geothermal project on customary land