Semarang – The Central Java Provincial Government is aggressively encouraging collaboration and synergy to accelerate the energy transition and achieve the renewable energy mix target in the region. Central Java has an ambitious target in the Regional Energy General Plan (RUED) of 21.32% by 2025.
The latest data from the Central Java Energy and Mineral Resources Agency (EMR) shows that the renewable energy mix has only reached 15.76% by 2022. In supporting efforts to achieve this target, the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) has collaborated with Central Java since 2019.
Fabby Tumiwa, Executive Director of IESR, emphasised that building enabling conditions, such as adequate rules and regulations, support for public and private partnerships, and community initiatives and investment to accelerate the energy transition is necessary.
“Central Java has abundant renewable energy potential, such as 194 GW of solar and 3.5 MW of wind energy. Concrete steps are needed, such as information dissemination, capacity building in renewable energy development, and support for investment through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR),” Tumiwa said at the Central Java Renewable Energy Acceleration Forum.
IESR collaboration with Central Java
IESR formally collaborated with the Investment and One-Stop Integrated Service (DPMPTSP) of Central Java Province to encourage green investment and renewable energy, particularly in the region.
Central Java Province has taken several steps to promote green investment in the region, including preparing projects ready to be developed by investors, such as circular economy projects of waste treatment, mini-hydro, and waste processing into refuse-derived fuel (RDF).
“The central government has given more authority to regional governments, including districts and cities, in managing biomass, biogas, and new renewable energy. This is regulated in Presidential Regulation No.11/2023 and Kepmendagri 900.1.15.5-1317 of 2023. Local governments are expected to utilise this authority to support renewable energy development,” said Tavip Rubiyanto, Associate Expert Policy Analyst on Energy and Mineral Resources Substance, Ministry of Home Affairs.
He also emphasised the need for cooperation between sectors to achieve the national renewable energy target of 23% by 2025. By the end of 2023, only 12.3% of the target had been achieved.
Boedyo Dharmawan, Head of the Energy and Mineral Resources Office of Central Java Province, explained Central Java’s positive achievements in renewable energy, exceeding the annual target in 2022. This achievement includes various types of renewable power plants, such as solar-, minihydro-, microhidro- and hydro-power plants.
“The provincial government is not only focused on regulation, but also committed to implementation. Greenhouse gas emission control programs, including by encouraging electric vehicles, are part of the effort towards the renewable energy era,” he added.
Apart from the government, community initiatives in adopting renewable energy are also key to increasing the renewable energy mix in the region. Yanto, Head of Banyuroto Village, Magelang District, gave an example of how his village has developed 34 biogas processing units by involving the government, community and non-governmental organisations. This biogas not only saves the residents’ kitchen needs, but is also used as fuel for lighting.
With the collaboration between the government, private sector, and the community, it is hoped that Central Java can achieve its ambitious target in the renewable energy mix by 2025. (Hartatik)
