In Sanur, locals have protested against plans to build a floating LNG terminal in the waters of the Sidakarya village, South Denpasar.
Authorities justify the project as a move towards energy sustainability: Bali should be less reliant on coal and oil. However, locals believe the benefits are not worth the risk to the ocean and tourism.
The platform is planned to be placed just 3.5 km off the coast. It will be visible from Sanur, Denpasar, and the Nusa Islands. Residents and businesses are concerned that the resort landscape will turn industrial.
"I am strongly against it. The terminal will harm Bali's environment, culture, and image. Tourists come here for peace and beaches, not views of a factory," says Ida Bagus Gede Sidartha Putra, head of the Denpasar Hotel and Restaurant Association.
Sanur and neighboring Serangan are not just resorts. They are home to fishermen, temple ceremonies take place here, and the coast holds special significance for Hindus.
Environmentalists note that 3.5 km is critically close. For comparison, terminals in Jakarta Bay, Lampung, and Karawang are 15-22 km from the coast.
Currently, Sanur is developing as a medical tourism center. Modern clinics have opened here, and the area has been granted special economic zone status. Business and authorities are focusing on sustainable and wellness tourism.
Locals are demanding new environmental and social assessments. They emphasize that Sanur's coast is part of the cultural heritage that needs to be preserved for future generations.
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