According to recently appointed Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Jero Wacik, Bali’s energy needs are expected to double by 2017, and new sources of power need to be identified. The ministry is urging a review of the proposal for the plant at Bedugul.

“In Bedugul there is an electric potential of 165 megawatts that can be generated from geothermal energy at a reasonable cost, so it should be assessed as soon as possible,” said Wacik.

Bali currently has a peak power load of 681.82 MW. At current rates of increase, this is expected to reach 1095MW by 2017.

Wacik said that as much of the power used to supply Bali is transferred from Java, which leads to potential distribution problems.

A working committee to discuss power generation in Bali has been put together consisting of Wacik, Effendi Simbolon, and Bali Governor I Made Mangku Pastika.

Effendi said that the power deficit in Bali should be met using environmentally friendly and renewable energy resources, such as geothermal power.

However, Pastika said that the proposal for the Bedugul plant, which was first mooted in 1995 is still regarded as controversial by local residents and religious leaders. He said that the Bali authorities would need to conduct a full investigation into the concerns and aspirations of local people before giving consent.

The area which would be affected by work in Bedugul lies within protected forest areas. A proposal to conduct exploratory drilling there was rejected by the authorities in 2005, because of environmental and community concerns.

News that the national Energy and Natural Resources Ministry was once more pushing for an energy plant in Bedugul was met with concern by local environmental activists.

Regional coordinator for environmental pressure group Walhi, Wayan Gendo Suardana, said that any major project in Bedugul could have a negative impact not just on the immediate vicinity, but also on the lower lying agricultural land and forests, as the upland region is a catchment area supplying water to other parts of Bali.

“Until now the Ministry of Energy has not made a proper study of the potential energy crisis which Bali is facing by 2025,” he said, adding that the authorities should concentrate on optimising currently available supply before developing new means of production.

Suardana said that a major project in Bedugul would have a negative impact on local communities, and would also worsen Bali’s water crisis, by interfering with catchment areas and river systems.

Meanwhile, the General Manager of state energy provider PLN in Bali, Dadan Koerniadipoera said that most hotels in Bali were still receiving electricity at a subsidised rate.

Speaking during a meeting to discuss future energy provision with the Bali regional assembly’s Commission VII Koerniadipoera said that subsidised rates were originally meant for individual families, not for multi-million dollar businesses.

“This is very unfair because many star-rated hotels in Bali which are charging as much as US$1,500 a night are actually receiving subsidised electricity tariffs,” he said.

The honour was bestowed by the International Achievement Foundation and Achievement Center Indonesia as part of its Indonesian Quality Service Excellence Tourism Awards and included a citation for “service excellence.”

The government-backed awards recognise the efforts of tourism-industry professionals and were held at the Sultan Hotel in Jakarta on December 23.

Head of the awarding panel Dermawan Saputra praised C151 General Manager I Wayan Gede Surasa.

“The award is a testament to the belief that various parties can expand and improve the success of themselves, their companies and their institutions … [this award] is a mark of your success,” he said.

The jury for the awards was comprised of the International Achievement Foundation, supported by the Cabinet of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and local government officials and social organisations, as well as print media around Indonesia.

C151, which has previously won national awards for its achievements in design and innovation, operates a villa-style hotel complex in Seminyak and an exclusive cliff-top resort at Dreamland on the Bukit Peninsula.

Andi Mallaranggeng also mention that on the ASEAN Sports Ministerial Meeting (ASMM) the ASEAN countries need some kind of support which will be the goal to form a single community by 2015 and will enable each countries to excell in sports specially on global scale. That is why the ASEAN Sports Ministerial Meeting (ASMM) held in Yogyakarta which resulting the single coordinating board.

Andi added the forum also agreed to appoint him as chairman of the newly established board with Lao’s Sports Minister Phankam Viphavanh as vice chairman. The minister said an Expert Group Meeting (EMG) to set up a working plan for the new board had also been established.

Follow the instructions. Before starting the rafting, you will be given instructions. Ranging from what to do if you are thrown out of the boat and how to try to keep it safe.

Follow all instructions guide. If you are still thrown out of the boat then swim will be more exciting in your rafting!

Camera. Not advisable to bring a video recording or time of the camera. Because it would be easily damaged when exposed to water. Unless you have a special camera to waterproof outdoor activities.

Managers usually prepare personnel rafting photographer who will capture your pangarungan activities. You can then be viewed or ordered after rafting.

If It Can Swim. You can not swim? Then you do not follow the recommended rafting on the river that has a difficulty level class 4 or class 5.

Suffice it to enjoy the rapids by wearing a life jacket. Choose the difficulty level of the river with class 2 and class 3.

Glasses. To you with glasses, it is advisable to give the hook strap on goggles that can not be separated.

Sunscreen creams. When you use a sunscreen cream (sunscreen) then do not use on the forehead. Because, when exposed to water will be dangerous when exposed to the eye.

Do not also use it on the back foot. This can lead to slip.

Footwear. Not advisable to wear sandals. Sandals does not provide protection even when used to swim a little difficult.

Wear sneakers or sandals mountain. Even better if you have special shoes for rafting will be better again.

Clothing. Are also suggested to wear clothes made from synthetic fleece, polypro, capilene or wool on the inside.

Do not wear cotton. This material will make you cold when wet.

Wet Suit. When the weather is hot with cold water temperatures are advised to wear wet suits. While during cold weather and cold water temperatures in the river wearing wet suits class 5 combined with a special jacket.

In contrast, if the weather is warm and the water temperature is not too cold. We recommend wearing workout clothes and t-shirts only. Tips by Rafting in Bali, the most challenging adventure in Bali.