Hydropower revival in Java's tea gardens: Rising fuel prices promote greenenergy for green tea

Beginning in the second half of the 19th century, large areas of West Java' s mountainous rainforests were transformed into tea gardens. The volcanic s oils, high rainfall, and cool climate of this region proved the perfect env ironment for such plantations (Figure 1). During this period, many tea fact ories were powered by small hydropower plants (SHPs). The location of the f actories on tea estates was often determined by the availability of a suita ble site for the SHPs. This renewable form of energy was the perfect match for the moderate power requirements of tea factories. However, after the pe ak in tea production at the beginning of the 20th century, a gradual declin e in production took place in West Java. Unfortunately, this period also sa w the degradation of the many SHPs that formerly, powered the factories. To day most of the plants in the old factories have been destroyed, dismantled , or replaced by Diesel gensets. Rising fuel costs and increased consumer a wareness are now providing the right environment for a revival of indigenou s hydraulic resources.