PRESS RELEASE
No.063/RELEASE/PLNIP/2025
PLN Indonesia Power Unveils EWAKO LOWITA: A Sea Turtle Conservation Tourism that Transforms Coastal Paradigms
Barru, South Sulawesi, August 27, 2025 — PLN Indonesia Power (PLN IP), through its Barru Generation Business Unit (UBP Barru), has launched EWAKO LOWITA (Eco-Ecotourism Based on Sea Turtle Conservation at Lowita Beach), a pioneering initiative that embodies community-driven social and environmental transformation. This program elevates sea turtle conservation from a preservation effort into a catalyst for local economic growth, youth education, and the empowerment of vulnerable groups.
Lowita Beach, once faced with critical challenges including rampant turtle egg poaching, habitat degradation, and coastal waste reaching up to 1,890 kilograms per month, has now been transformed into an inclusive center for conservation and educational tourism. Through a systemic and collaborative approach, local communities—ranging from youth and homemakers to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)—actively participate in managing tourism activities, waste banks, and the production of recycled souvenirs.
The program delivers tangible ecological and economic impact. Annual group revenues have reached IDR 238.8 million, while more than 6,000 turtle eggs are successfully hatched each year. In addition, mangrove restoration covering 7.43 hectares has absorbed an estimated 330,810 tons of CO₂, positioning EWAKO LOWITA as a model of circular economy-based conservation.
“We believe energy is not only about electricity but about channeling the spirit of transformation throughout the nation. EWAKO LOWITA proves that conservation can evolve into a unified social, economic, and educational movement within one ecosystem,” said Bernadus Sudarmanta, President Director of PLN Indonesia Power.
PLN Indonesia Power’s commitment extends beyond reliable power generation to include social and environmental sustainability. Through the TAMASYA (Child Care Garden) program, PLN IP is also exploring collaborations with the National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN) to support child development in coastal communities, reinforcing the welfare dimension within conservation efforts.
EWAKO LOWITA has fostered systemic and significant behavioral change. Local residents now actively report and protect turtle nests, visitors contribute to conservation through tickets and donations, and MSMEs transform waste into valuable products. Environmental education has reached more than 4,500 visitors annually, while 15 local residents are employed as conservation team members and educators. The program also introduces innovations such as the use of fly ash bottom ash (FABA) as materials for hatchery facilities, incubator temperature monitoring systems, and mini solar panels to power conservation infrastructure—all driven by principles of energy efficiency and sustainability.
With a five-year roadmap that includes the development of an education center, a turtle festival, village tourism certification, and program replication across other beaches in Barru, EWAKO LOWITA is poised to become a national model. Strategic partnerships have been established with two government agencies, three civil society organizations, one university, and two private sector partners, reinforcing an inclusive and sustainable conservation ecosystem.
More updates on PLN Indonesia Power’s initiatives are available at www.plnindonesiapower.co.id
Media Contact:
Agung Siswanto
Corporate Secretary, PLN Indonesia Power
Tel. (021) 5267666
About PLN Indonesia Power
PLN Indonesia Power is the largest power generation company in Southeast Asia and a subholding of PT PLN (Persero). The company is dedicated to technological innovation, operational efficiency, and energy sustainability to support Indonesia’s national agenda toward Net Zero Emissions.
