Jakarta—The current Indonesian government considers energy transition an important part of its economic policy oriented towards sustainable development. The Asta Cita agenda, or the eight primary missions of the Prabowo-Gibran administration, targets eight per cent economic growth by capitalising on the opportunities created by the energy transition to green energy. In this case, energy transformation is an environmental demand and a financial opportunity that can attract investment and create a sustainable business ecosystem.
Chairman of the Indonesia Clean Energy Forum (ICEF), Prof. Bambang Brodjonegoro, emphasized the importance of the perspective that energy transition is an opportunity, not an economic burden.
“We need to build a new paradigm that the energy transition has great economic potential for Indonesia. By changing this view, we can attract more investments that support innovation and sustainable economic growth,” Bambang said at the opening of the Indonesia Energy Transition Dialogue (IETD) 2024 in Jakarta on Monday, November 4.
He said this must be done through an equitable energy transition approach, which enables all Indonesians, especially those in less energy-affordable areas, to gain greater access to renewable energy. This approach emphasizes that social and economic equality is a key pillar in achieving net zero emissions (NZE) by 2060 or sooner, which aligns with the vision of Golden Indonesia 2045.
“The government needs to integrate economic and energy policies in an integrated manner to ensure that the energy transition supports job creation and strengthens Indonesia’s economic resilience. All must be involved in this process without exception,” Bambang continued.
Through the Asta Cita agenda, the government also plans to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030, as committed in COP28. These targets prove that Indonesia is seriously reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting the earth’s temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The British Ambassador to Indonesia and Timor Leste, Dominic Jermey, said that last month, the UK ended the operation of its last coal-fired power plant as part of climate mitigation action so that now none of its electricity supply comes from coal.
“The UK is committed to tackling climate change, not only domestically, but also with various global partners including Indonesia, and collaborating because climate change is a global challenge that requires global action,” he said.
Dominic emphasised that “Indonesia is not alone in its energy transition journey. As a global partner, the UK and other members of the International Partners Group (IPG) in the JETP partnership continue to support Indonesia’s energy sector decarbonization efforts”.
This equitable energy transition approach is expected to strengthen Indonesia’s economic competitiveness, encourage technological innovation, and increase investment in the renewable energy sector. Bambang is optimistic that, in the Prabowo-Gibran era, this will support the clean energy vision and create sustainable economic opportunities for the wider community, strengthen Indonesia’s position in the international arena, and build a resilient economic foundation amid global challenges. (Hartatik)
