To complement the BOS Foundations wildlife conservation activities at Samboja Lestari, a new solar system now produces clean solar energy that will power the centre for years to come as well as contribute to the global shift towards renewable energy.
In a bid to boost its contribution in the fight against climate change, the East Kalimantan Orangutan Reintroduction Program at Samboja Lestari, is making the move to renewable energy. The site is home to over 100 orangutans and 70 sun bears, as well as an ecolodge, guest education facilities, and the head offices for all BOS Foundation rescue, release, and restoration activities in East Kalimantan.
With the financial support provided by institutional funding from BOS Switzerland, the BOS Foundation, together with its implementation partners, BOS Switzerland and BOS Australia, has installed a 306-panel solar array alongside the access road to the Samboja Lodge, next to the centre’s veterinary clinic.
The new array of photovoltaic panels converts sunlight directly into electricity, producing on average 270 kWh of energy a month, enough energy to power almost the entire centre. It also represents significant savings for the BOS Foundation by reducing needed energy expenditures.
The project aims to make the rehabilitation and sanctuary of orangutans and sun bears at Samboja Lestari even more sustainable by drastically reducing annual carbon emissions. While gasoline generators will remain onsite as the emergency back-up system, the energy produced by the solar array was calculated to be more than sufficient to provide for all Samboja Lestari energy needs through both the rainy and dry seasons in East Kalimantan.
SOLAR EDUCATION
With murals planned to be added to the facility buildings, the site will also provide visitors with the opportunity to learn about renewable energy and its economic and environmental benefits. We hope that it will serve as inspiration for all who see it to take their own steps towards sustainable energy and greener living.
In collaboration with the Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB University) and the University of British Columbia, a camera trap project aims to answer questions about the distribution of orangutans after being released in the Bukit Batikap Protection Fores
The Mawas Conservation Program is a proven model for large-scale forest restoration. With our project partner Weleda, our teams on the ground are actively assisting in the management of 309,000 hectares of peatland to reduce the risk of forest fires,
