Jakarta – Indonesia’s G20/B20 presidency has become a momentum for the government to seek global support to accelerate the development of new and renewable energy (NRE) plants, officials said Monday (25/4).
Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Standing Committee, Muhammad Yusrizki quoted John Kerry saying that “this is a golden opportunity for Indonesia, which is currently the G20/B20 Presidency, to seek world support or be completely forgotten,” after meeting the US President’s special envoy for climate in a meeting at the Harry S Truman Building, Washington, DC.
Yusirzki said in a written statement that Kerry reminded Indonesia to be more careful and certain in the coal power plants conversion program. He asked Kadin to play a bigger role in encouraging the Indonesian government to accelerate the energy transition.
Kerry ensured Kadin that the US had prepared billions of dollars in funds to finance the energy transition. The funds are channeled through government agencies or the Development Finance Corporation (DFC).
Yusrizki who is also the Deputy Chairperson of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) Alumni Association said that the business world has the same responsibility as the government in ensuring the achievement of net zero emissions by 2060.
One of the Indonesian government strategies through the Ministry of Energy and Resources (ESDM) is to substitute or convert old steam coal power plants (PLTU). Aside from causing adverse impacts to the environment, old PLTUs are not optimal in their operations so that the cost of energy production becomes more expensive.
He said that developed countries should not just encourage developing countries to make an energy transition, but they “must also make real contributions to the energy transition. Both in terms of technology, knowledge, and financing,” added Yusrizki.
During the meeting, the delegation was led by the General Chairman of Kadin, Arsjad Rasjid. Also present at the meeting was the Head of B20 Shinta Widjaja Kamdani. Arsjad Rasjid’s meeting with John Kerry was part of the B20 roadshow conducted by Kadin to Washington DC and New York, United States, and Ottawa, Canada. (Hartatik)
