Abdul Karim Wahid

Indonesian renewable energy pioneer scaling solar power in rural archipelagos

Abdul Karim Wahid (b. 1985) is revolutionizing energy access across Indonesia's 17,000 islands through his company Surya Hebat. Starting in 2020, he developed the first solar microgrid system compatible with Indonesia's extreme humidity and typhoon-prone conditions. His patented 'floating solar-battery hybrids' now power over 300 remote villages, reducing kerosene usage by 90% and CO2 emissions by 12,000 tons annually. Wahid's community-centered financing model allows households to pay via mobile credits, making systems affordable at just $1.50/month. Partnering with Tesla's Gigafactory Jakarta, he recently deployed Southeast Asia's first island-wide solar grid on Sumba Island (2024). His TED Talk 'Lighting Up Paradise Without Grids' has become a blueprint for decentralized energy projects. Featured in National Geographic's 2023 Innovators issue, his work ensures 80% of Indonesia's rural population will have clean energy access by 2030 - a decade ahead of government targets. He also mentors young engineers through the Solar Academy, which has trained 2,500 technicians since 2021.