The Solar Ice Maker (SIM) has arrived in Kawa, Indonesia, and we could NOT be happier. This marks an incredible milestone for IPNLF, our project partners, and the fishers of Kawa towards a supply chain fueled by renewable energy. It could also mean a leap forward for artisanal fishers in remote areas worldwide!
Supported by the UNDP Ocean Innovation Challenge (OIC), Yayasan IPNLF Indonesia (YII) and project partners GIZ Indonesia, PT. AIREF, and PT. ASTB developed an innovative solution for small-scale fishers in Indonesia: creating an off-the-grid solar photovoltaic-powered ice-making facility as a modern climate-friendly cold-chain technology in remote Indonesian fishing communities.
One-by-one fisheries underpin local livelihoods and provide equitable wealth distribution, food security, and gender-equal employment opportunities. However, like most small-scale fisheries, they’re characterised by remote, coastal communities that often lack reliable access to electricity, food safety issues and fish handling, and facilities to maintain a cold chain. With approximately a million tons exported annually, Indonesia is the largest tuna producer in the world. More so, Indonesia is a key player in responsible sourcing practices as a significant portion of its tuna is caught by traditional tuna fisheries using ‘one-by-one fishing’ methods.
The SIM aims to deliver transformational change by deploying 100% carbon-free solar-powered ice-making machines in remote fishing communities in East Indonesia that produce quality yellowfin tuna intended for high-value markets. Community involvement is key; by simultaneously upskilling fishers to improve handling practices, cold chain protocols, financial literacy, and asset management, this project will ultimately enhance livelihoods in a climate-friendly manner.
The SIM is a new technology that can produce blocks of industrial-standard ice through an entirely off-grid system. More importantly, these new, cutting-edge solar power ice makers rely on thermal energy storage (instead of batteries) and thus do not rely on battery replacement, one of the biggest costs currently associated with solar ice machines.
Sounding fantastic in theory, we started building the first machine in 2023. After testing, trials, and errors, we established a second machine, our current SIM, that produced ice! Not just any ice—but beautiful, clean ice, and in abundance. After more tests and ensuring all maintenance measures were in place, we were ready for the next step to achieve our ultimate goal: to prove that this machine is an innovation for artisanal fishers in remote areas, we needed to get the SIM to a remote location in eastern Indonesia. Today, we are happy to announce that “our SIM” has reached and will be installed in Kawa, Indonesia!
YII is working with its project partners to have a celebratory launch in late September. Our hope is to help install more SIMs across Indonesia and, one day, across the globe to advance one-by-one fishers everywhere. SIMs mean so much for their local communities and keep tuna catches sustainable and climate-friendly.
Sign up to receive our Announcements, follow our Recent News, and follow our social media channels to receive the latest updates on this exciting project.