Article II 6/2025 - THE SOLAR ICE MAKER PROJECT: UPLIFTING COASTAL COMMUNITIES IN INDONESIA
By the International Pole and Line Foundation (IPNLF)1
A prototype solar-powered ice maker in Maluku, East Indonesia, is delivering significant environmental and economic benefits to small-scale tuna fishers and their families. Representing a transformative and scalable renewable energy solution for small-scale fisheries, the project goes beyond just environmental gains; it’s a powerful catalyst for social transformation, bringing real income stability to small-scale fishers. With improved cold chain reliability, these fishers can unlock the full value of their catch, minimise their financial losses and boost local economic growth.
Indonesian handline tuna fisheries are more than just a source of fish; they are lifelines for local communities, fostering equitable wealth distribution, enhancing food security, and empowering women through gender-equal employment opportunities. However, many of these remote coastal fishing communities face significant challenges. Fishers urgently need upgraded shore-based facilities to maintain a continuous cold chain for their catch, reduce reliance on grid electricity and enable improved fish handling and food safety practices. Maintaining this cold chain is critical to ensure that fish and other seafood products arrive fresh and are of the highest quality at their destination.
Furthermore, these small-scale fishers are often out-competed by industrial fisheries for limited resources, sidelined by decision-makers, and forced to compete in seafood markets that fail to offer them a level playing field. To add to their struggles, these communities are often on the front lines of climate change impacts, facing unprecedented challenges that threaten their livelihoods. Therefore, innovative solutions that combat climate change and help them compete on an equal footing in global seafood markets are essential for their future.
Launched by the International Pole and Line Foundation (IPNLF) in 2024, the Solar Ice Maker project supports Indonesia’s vision of a Blue Economy in which the ocean is a crucial driver of economic growth and innovation, improving the livelihoods of coastal communities while preserving the country’s unrivalled biodiversity through healthier oceans and coastal ecosystems. It contributes directly, amongst others, to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 14b (providing small-scale fishers access to marine resources and markets). The technology used in the ice maker further minimises waste and aligns with global sustainability standards by reducing the carbon footprint of ice production.
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1 The International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNLF) is a UK-registered charity dedicated to developing, supporting, and promoting socially and environmentally responsible one-by-one tuna fisheries in 33 countries. These traditional fishing techniques are highly selective, minimising bycatch and environmental impact, while supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities. IPNLF collaborates with fishers, businesses, and policymakers to implement sustainable practices, enhance supply chain transparency, and advocate for equitable policies that benefit both people and the planet. IPNLF has 58 members, including the retailers Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Whole Foods, Edeka, Migros and Woolworths South Africa. Media contact: Clare Harrison (clare.harrison@ipnlf.org).
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Furthermore, these small-scale fishers are often out-competed by industrial fisheries for limited resources, sidelined by decision-makers, and forced to compete in seafood markets that fail to offer them a level playing field. To add to their struggles, these communities are often on the front lines of climate change impacts, facing unprecedented challenges that threaten their livelihoods. Therefore, innovative solutions that combat climate change and help them compete on an equal footing in global seafood markets are essential for their future.
Launched by the International Pole and Line Foundation (IPNLF) in 2024, the Solar Ice Maker project supports Indonesia’s vision of a Blue Economy in which the ocean is a crucial driver of economic growth and innovation, improving the livelihoods of coastal communities while preserving the country’s unrivalled biodiversity through healthier oceans and coastal ecosystems. It contributes directly, amongst others, to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 14b (providing small-scale fishers access to marine resources and markets). The technology used in the ice maker further minimises waste and aligns with global sustainability standards by reducing the carbon footprint of ice production.
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1 The International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNLF) is a UK-registered charity dedicated to developing, supporting, and promoting socially and environmentally responsible one-by-one tuna fisheries in 33 countries. These traditional fishing techniques are highly selective, minimising bycatch and environmental impact, while supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities. IPNLF collaborates with fishers, businesses, and policymakers to implement sustainable practices, enhance supply chain transparency, and advocate for equitable policies that benefit both people and the planet. IPNLF has 58 members, including the retailers Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s, Whole Foods, Edeka, Migros and Woolworths South Africa. Media contact: Clare Harrison (clare.harrison@ipnlf.org).
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100% renewable energy
The Solar Ice Maker2 is an entirely off-grid facility, using solar energy to produce up to one ton of high-quality ice daily. Thus, it allows for continuous ice production, enhances cold storage capabilities, and minimises spoilage. Access to fresh water is vital for the ice maker to operate efficiently. Replacing expensive batteries is often one of the most significant costs associated with solar energy applications. The technology used in the solar ice maker overcomes this challenge by relying on thermal energy storage rather than batteries.
Impact on people and planet
The project goes beyond just environmental gains; it’s a powerful catalyst for social transformation, bringing real income stability to small-scale fishers. With improved cold chain reliability, these fishers can unlock the full value of their catch, minimise their financial losses and boost local economic growth. This initiative is an inspiring model for other coastal regions facing similar hurdles in cold chain logistics and post-harvest losses.
Social Responsibility Lead at the IPNLF, Shannon Hardisty (shannon. hardisty@ipnlf.org) explains, “As simple as it may sound, ice is a crucial step in the supply chain to achieve a higher-quality product. With this innovation, fishers can nearly triple their income because of the higher-grade tuna they sell. Their product can be sold to international markets such as Japan and the USA with that grade, which means rural fishers can increase access to global markets and improve their livelihoods”.
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2 https://ipnlf.org/what-is-the-solar-ice-maker/
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2 https://ipnlf.org/what-is-the-solar-ice-maker/
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