Listrik Indonesia | Bali is once again in the global scientific spotlight. From June 17 to 20, 2025, the Island of the Gods hosts the 13th Asia-Pacific International Conference on Lightning (APL 2025), officially opened at Bintang Bali Resort on June 17.
Organized by ERIC of the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), the event is supported by Institut Teknologi Padang (ITP), the International Council on Large Electric Systems (CIGRE), and the Indonesian Electrical Power Society (MKI). APL 2025 also enjoys strong backing from international engineering organizations such as the IEEE Indonesia Section, IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES), and global scientific publisher MDPI. 
“APL is not just an Asia-Pacific event it’s a global platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange across countries and sectors,” said Prof. Ir. Tumiran, M.Eng., Ph.D., General Chair of APL 2025.
According to Prof. Tumiran, the international scientific community has shown great enthusiasm for the event. A total of 133 papers were submitted, with 100 selected through a rigorous review process, resulting in an acceptance rate of 75.2%. “We truly appreciate the contributions of researchers from various countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, Europe, South Africa, and of course, Indonesia,” he added.
APL 2025 is more than just an academic forum it aims to spark major breakthroughs in lightning protection technology, which is vital for the global power system, including critical infrastructure such as power plants and oil and gas facilities.
In her opening remarks, Evy Haryadi, Director of Transmission and System Planning at PT PLN (Persero), emphasized the importance of synergy and innovation in addressing increasingly complex power system challenges, especially those driven by climate change and the rising intensity of lightning strikes in tropical regions like Indonesia.
“With over 17,000 kilometers of power grid operating in areas with some of the highest lightning densities in the world, we see this forum as a strategic opportunity to strengthen international and cross-sector collaboration,” said Evy, who also serves as Chair of the Indonesian Electrical Power Society (MKI).
She further noted that the challenge of protecting power systems goes beyond technical aspects. It requires a scientific approach, deep understanding of lightning characteristics in different regions, and the adoption of cutting-edge protection technologies based on research and innovation.
The conference welcomes several prominent figures and electrical experts, including Prof. Jinliang He from China, Prof. Michihiro Matsui from Japan, and from Indonesia, notable academics and researchers such as Prof. Reynaldo Zoro, who will share their experience in developing national lightning protection systems.
APL 2025 also opens the door for research collaboration between domestic and international institutions. The outcomes of this conference are expected to be directly implemented to improve the reliability of power systems and reduce lightning-related disruptions, especially in critical sectors such as energy, transportation, and communications.
“May this gathering inspire us to keep moving forward. From Bali, let us strengthen the foundations of science for a more resilient, secure, and sustainable future,” concluded Prof. Tumiran with optimism.
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