ESDM Experts Believe Indonesia Is Able To Switch From Fossil Energy To EBT

Expert Staff of the Minister of Energy for Mineral Resources (ESDM) Satya Hungga Yudha. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Expert Staff of the Minister of Mineral Energy (ESDM) Satya Hangga Yudha believes Indonesia is capable of switching from fossil energy to new and renewable energy (EBT), thus meeting the carbon emission target set.

According to him, the transition process is carried out based on national capacity limits and refers to the standards applied by developed countries.

"Energy transition must be gradual. We switch to EBT, but coal is still a competitive and cheap source of energy. So, so that we are consistent with reducing carbon emissions in coal PLTU, it is necessary to do co-firing (mixing) with biomass and in the future with carbon storage technology CCS and CCUS," said Hangga in his statement in Jakarta, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, January 29.

According to him, his job as an Expert Staff to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources for Commercialization and Transportation of Oil and Gas is a mandate in his capacity to help the Minister and Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources carry out their duties, which are in line with the Vision and Mission of the President and Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, namely Astacita points 2 and 5 concerning energy self-sufficiency and downstreaming.

"Under President Prabowo's leadership, Indonesia will develop new and renewable energy and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels," he said.

Hagga said that until 2040, more than 100 GW of energy capacity would be built, 75 percent of which came from renewable energy, 5 nuclear GWs, and 20 GWs from gas.

The former Oil and Gas Commercialization Analyst for SKK Migas hopes that the Presidential Decree of the National Energy Downstream and Resilience Task Force led by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, can increase investment, downstream, and trigger economic growth, create jobs, and increase added value to Indonesian commodities.

"Indonesia must be able to switch from fossil fuels to EBT to achieve the Paris Agreement target by 2030 and also NZE in 2060. Coal phase down is important, but there must be a solution," he said.

According to Hagga, the PLTU will be retired, but there must be a replacement. Energy sources that can be used as base loads, which are cheap, and accessible to the public are co-firing with biomass, gas, and EBT.

"The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources has issued a ministerial decree on B40 (biodiesel) and we hope that the ministry can be implemented properly. Next year, the target will increase to B50 and so on until B100," he said.

Regarding the transportation of biofuel or FAME, said Hangga, it is also important and there must be companies that can be relied on to transport these commodities.

"For fuel, electricity and LPG subsidies, the scheme must be right on target and the President and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources will submit the scheme," he said.

According to Hagga, his party is also coordinating with Commission XII of the DPR and the National Energy Council (DEN) in the preparation of the National Energy Policy which is in line with the Presidential and Vice Presidential Vision and Missions of the Republic of Indonesia.

"The derivative of KEN is RUKN which is currently being discussed and the RUPTL is on the right. On the left, there is RUEN and also RUED," he explained.

Hangga added, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is also discussing a number of bills.

"Activating idle wells and using IOR/EOR technology in order to increase oil and gas lifting is one of the priority programs," he said.

Hagga also highlighted the important role of the younger generation in developing the renewable energy sector in Indonesia.

"The younger generation will become policy makers in the future. However, one of their biggest challenges is discipline, especially in the era of social media, where the pressure to achieve something quickly is very high," he said.

The Vice Chairman for Energy Policy, Youth Energy & Environment Council (YeC) also emphasized that discipline is the key to success, both in self-development and career building.