Bali governor floats a 2040 net-zero target at Climate Week

In brief: Bali Governor Wayan Koster suggested on 13 October 2026 that the island could reach net-zero emissions by 2040, five years ahead of the existing ambition. He presented the earlier date as a possibility dependent on energy and transport changes, not as a formally adopted new deadline.

For people considering a new home or development in Bali, the immediate relevance lies less in the distant year than in how the province intends to reshape its power supply and building approvals. Those details are still developing.

The climate programme still points to 2045

Koster made his remarks at the opening of Bali Climate Week in Sanur, Denpasar. Local reporting by detikBali and ANTARA records his view that the energy transition could proceed quickly enough to bring the net-zero milestone forward to 2040.

Yet the event's own programme continues to describe 2045 as Bali's net-zero objective. It also included the presentation of the province's Regional Low Carbon Development Plan, framed around that same year. The Bali provincial government's earlier public statements likewise used 2045. No formally revised 2040 timetable was established by the reports of the governor's speech.

Net zero also has a specific meaning: remaining greenhouse-gas emissions must be balanced by removals. It does not mean every vehicle, power plant or building will produce no emissions at all.

The earlier date rests on major energy projects

The governor outlined several conditions behind his optimism. According to ANTARA, Bali is planning a phased expansion of gas-fired generating capacity totalling 1,550 MW by 2031, alongside substantially more solar power. Koster referred to a 1,000 MW allocation for solar generation. These are stated plans and allocations, not evidence that the capacity is already operating.

He also wants greater uptake of electric cars and motorcycles, together with a gradual move away from coal- and diesel-based electricity. The distinction between cleaner power and zero-carbon power remains relevant: burning natural gas still releases greenhouse gases. Whether the province can achieve net zero earlier will depend on implementation and the full emissions balance, not simply on announcing new capacity.

Construction rules are the nearer-term issue for owners

Koster also discussed tightening conditions for new building permits. ANTARA reported his account of an agreement with local governments to connect future approvals with measures that include rooftop solar. Bali already has provincial rules and guidance concerning cleaner energy and rooftop solar, but the reporting does not set out a complete new legal instrument, implementation date or list of exemptions.

Anyone preparing a construction project should therefore establish the rules currently applied by the relevant regency or city and examine the permit requirements for that particular building. Owners of existing properties should not assume that a possible 2040 climate milestone creates a new retrofitting duty overnight. The speech provides no reliable basis for forecasting lower household electricity bills or higher property values.

• ANTARA, “Pemprov Bali optimistis capai target tanpa emisi sebelum 2045” — 13 October 2026.
• Bali Climate Week 2026, event programme and presentation of Bali's Regional Low Carbon Development Plan — 13 October 2026 (event date).
• Bali Provincial Government, “Gubernur Koster Targetkan Bali Bebas Pembangkit Tenaga Fosil, PLTS Jadi Andalan Menuju Net Zero Emission 2045” — 20 July 2026.