Jakarta – Acceleration of the retirement of coal powered plants, including the impacts, especially on affected sectors such as the coal industry, will be discussed in Indonesia Sustainable Energy Week (ISEW) 2022, which will take place between 10 to 14 October 2022 on a hybrid basis.
At a media briefing, Thursday (6/9), the organisers said that ISEW 2022 will be held virtually and host the Indonesia Energy Transition Dialogue (IETD) and Clean, Affordable, and Secure Energy for Southeast Asia (CASE) project.
IETD is an initiative of the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) and the Indonesian Clean Energy Forum (ICEF). ICEF member Widhyawan Prawiraatmadja emphasised that the energy transition must be carried out in a just manner. In addition, workers, especially in sectors that are undergoing adjustment, such as in the coal sector, need to be prepared for their capacity and capability to switch to clean energy.
“We need to ensure incentive support from the government,” said Widhyawan. Furthermore, he also encourages public awareness and contribution in energy efficiency which is still far behind compared to developed countries.
At ISEW 2022, various aspects of support, inclusiveness and mitigation strategies will be discussed in detail on the implications of the energy transition that Indonesia needs to prepare in the energy transition process.
Director of Electricity, Telecommunication and Information Technology, Ministry of National Development Planning/National Planning Agency (Bappenas), Rachmat Mardiana in his speech, said that the involvement and participation of all Indonesian people is crucial in smoothing the energy transition process. Unity of action and strategy in the energy transition is a discussion that will be explored further at ISEW 2022.
“This ISEW 2022 activity will provide a common understanding, provide meaning, especially regarding the efforts that need to be made in pursuing the net zero emissions (NZE) target in 2060 or sooner,” he added.
Mardiana said the internalisation of energy transition efforts in the preparation of long-term development plans is becoming more important.
Yusuf Suryanto, Coordinator of Electricity, Directorate of Electricity, Telecommunications and Information, Bappenas added that in order to become a developed country, Indonesia needs to increase economic growth and expand its economic growth centre area.
“The key point is that economic growth must be high at more than 6%, and the role of the eastern part of Indonesia needs to be increased to 25% so that economic growth centres outside Java will dominate,” he said.
Fabby Tumiwa, ICEF & IESR Executive Director said that Indonesia has an opportunity to increase energy consumption and supply while reducing the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions. He said “the key lies in policies and regulations and proper planning to encourage low-carbon technologies to replace energy supplies of which 87%, according to government data, comes from fossil energy.”
Tumiwa said to achieve NZE by 2060, new and renewable energy generation will be driven by 786.2 GW with 60.2 GW generated from battery power. (Hartatik)
