Jakarta – Following the achievement of more than IDR 72 trillion in investment in its first phase, the UK government has officially confirmed that the MENTARI clean energy programme will continue into a second phase. This plan is part of the UK-Indonesia Strategic Partnership’s efforts to strengthen support for an inclusive and sustainable low-carbon energy transition.
Matthew Downing, Deputy British Ambassador to Indonesia, announced a “MENTARI Day” event on Thursday, July 3. The programme, launched in 2020, is said to have facilitated the establishment of a pipeline of clean energy projects worth more than GBP 3.29 billion.
“MENTARI has played a crucial role in opening up the investment pipeline and accelerating the roll-out of renewable energy across Indonesia,” Downing said. “These achievements reflect the growing confidence of investors in the direction of Indonesia’s energy policy.”
MENTARI’s investment funds have been used to support rural and remote electrification, alternative energy development, clean energy integration into the national grid, and social aspects, including gender inclusion and the Viability Gap Fund (VGF) scheme.
Even amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the programme was able to channel IDR 210 billion worth of funding to build three hydroelectric power plants in West Nusa Tenggara, Bali and West Sumatra.
Not only that, MENTARI also managed to bring electricity to remote communities through the construction of a 95 kWp mini-grid solar plant in Mata Redi and Mata Woga Villages, Central Sumba, NTT. This project reached 238 households, public facilities, and 16 microenterprises that were previously unconnected to the electricity grid.
MENTARI 2: New strategy, broader impact
Following on from this success, the UK is now designing MENTARI 2, which will be aligned with the new bilateral strategic co-operation framework. The primary focus of this follow-up phase will be to expand outreach, deepen collaboration, and ensure funding efficiency.
“We are currently designing the follow-up programme, MENTARI 2. This programme will further deepen our collaboration with ESDM and all other partners,” Downing explained.
Dadan Kusdiana, Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, welcomed the MENTARI follow-up initiative. He said the government will utilise the results of the first phase as a foundation to accelerate electricity distribution in underdeveloped areas, especially eastern Indonesia.
“In the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, God willing, we will utilise the results of MENTARI,” said Dadan.
“We are preparing to accelerate rural electricity, especially in the eastern region.”
The MENTARI programme is designed as a multidimensional platform that not only encourages the development of renewable energy projects but also supports inclusive national policies and investments. It aims to promote a just, sustainable and comprehensive energy transition in Indonesia.
With the support of the UK government and the full commitment of the Indonesian government, MENTARI 2 is expected to be a new catalyst in accelerating the achievement of carbon-neutral targets, while expanding social and economic benefits across the country. (Hartatik)
Banner photo: Image generated by OpenAI’s DALL·E via ChatGPT (2024)
