Jakarta – Forest Watch Indonesia (FWI) called for re-evaluating biomass policy as part of Indonesia’s renewable energy mix strategy. FWI Campaign and Advocacy Manager Anggi Putra Prayoga criticised the renewable energy mix target as unrealistic and warned of potential negative impacts on the environment.
According to Prayoga, the realisation of new renewable energy (NRE) in Indonesia is still far from the set target. “By 2023, the realisation of NRE will only reach 12.5 per cent, far below the target of 17.9 per cent,” he said, Thursday, August 1.
The Indonesian government plans to lower the renewable energy mix target from 23 per cent in 2025 to 19 to 22 per cent, following changes in the National Energy Policy Draft Government Regulation (RPP KEN) being discussed.
“Behind this target reduction, biomass emerges as one of the top priorities to achieve the lower target,” Prayoga continued.
However, the very slow growth trend of renewable energy, only 0.1 per cent from 2021 to 2022 and 0.2 per cent from 2022 to 2023 suggests that Indonesia may fail to achieve the 23 per cent energy mix target by 2025.
As a solution, biomass is placed as the second priority after solar energy in the KEN RPP. Biomass, which includes wood, agricultural waste and processed wood products, is considered a renewable energy alternative that can reduce dependence on fossil fuels. However, Prayoga voiced serious concerns regarding the environmental impact of these biomass projects.
“The potential for biomass in Indonesia looks tantalizing with a huge area – 5 million hectares for industrial forest plantations and 15.3 million hectares for oil palm,” Prayoga said.
However, he added, massive biomass utilisation could lead to more forest land conversion, increased deforestation, and worsened land tenure inequality.
Anggi emphasised that the government and stakeholders must reconsider this biomass policy.
“Can it be a sustainable energy solution, or will it add to existing environmental problems?” he asked.
Given the potential negative impacts on forests and the environment, FWI urges that biomass policies be comprehensively re-evaluated.
“This policy must consider the balance between renewable energy needs and environmental protection,” Prayoga concluded. (Hartatik)
