Production and power structure in the landscape of the Ulu Belu geothermal area, Indonesia

Sammanfattning: Recently, the Government of Indonesia has committed to intensifying geothermal development. In its event, geothermal development is part of global demands and national interests to reduce dependence on fossil fuels as commitments to respond the climate change. However, many geothermal areas in Indonesia are located in peripheral regions which populated with an established settlement of people. In the case of Ulu Belu, the development of geothermal areas must deal directly with the communities that already have their way of life. The community very much felt the direct economic and social impacts of the development of the Ulu Belu geothermal area. Still, at the same time, it may create new marginal groups. This marginalization is more prevalent when there are conflicts of interest between the developer and the community. This thesis sees the pattern of the development of the Ulu Belu geothermal area; there is a process that forms new power structure and symptoms of marginalization. However, the polarization that occurs does not linearly produce oppression. Assessing the degree of exercise of power to seek more balance in interest contestation is essential. Certain social efforts may also limit marginalization. In particular, the development of geothermal areas is very dependent on the context. Still, in the broader scope, the symptoms and patterns of social dynamics that occur can be perceived as general acknowledgement for further geothermal development.