By: Rivka Mayangsari*)
As the first year of the administration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka approaches, various strategic achievements are beginning to show concrete results. One of the most prominent is the government’s move to achieve national energy self-sufficiency, a long-standing goal of the Indonesian nation to free itself from dependence on imported fuel.
The policy initiated by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, through the use of ethanol as a fuel blend, is a concrete step towards national energy independence. This program aligns with President Prabowo-Gibran’s (Pragib) grand vision to build a resilient, sovereign, and sustainable economy. This effort is not only about energy, but also part of a grand strategy to strengthen national resilience amidst increasingly complex global geopolitical dynamics.
Professor of Economics at the Islamic University of Bandung (Unisba), Prof. Prof. Ima Amaliah believes the energy self-sufficiency program is a policy that should have been implemented long ago. She recalled that during Indonesia’s oil boom in the 1980s, oil and gas sector revenues should have served as the foundation for building an independent energy system. She believes the current government’s move represents a historical correction worthy of appreciation, as it points to a more sovereign development path.
Prof. Ima also emphasized that the energy self-sufficiency program is not merely an economic policy, but a national strategy to strengthen national sovereignty. By reducing fuel imports, Indonesia will have greater fiscal space and strengthen its bargaining position internationally. She views the 10 percent ethanol blending policy, or E10, in fuel as a significant breakthrough toward energy independence. In addition to reducing imports, this policy also supports the sustainable development agenda and the clean energy transition.
This bioethanol-based policy also aligns with Indonesia’s commitment to addressing climate change and its net-zero emissions target by 2050, as stipulated in the Paris Agreement. By utilizing domestic resources such as sugarcane and cassava to produce ethanol, Indonesia will not only reduce carbon emissions but also create new supply chains that drive the rural economy.
Meanwhile, public policy expert Yogi Suprayogi Sugandi from Padjadjaran University (Unpad) also assessed that Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia’s policy of promoting energy self-sufficiency is a visionary step. He stated that initiatives such as the development of community oil wells are pro-community policies, especially if implemented with attention to the welfare of the residents involved.
According to Yogi, community participation in energy projects will strengthen a sense of ownership over national resources. However, he cautioned that community involvement mechanisms must be regulated fairly to avoid inequality or exploitative practices. Thus, the energy independence achieved will not only be technical but also socio-economic.
From a technological perspective, Tri Yus Widjajanto, Professor of the Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), assessed that the government’s move to use ethanol as a fuel blend is a practical and realistic solution to reduce dependence on energy imports. He explained that technically, fuel containing ethanol has been proven safe for use in modern motor vehicles without posing any risk to engine performance.
Tri Yus added that the use of ethanol not only provides environmental benefits by reducing carbon emissions but also opens up new economic opportunities for Indonesia. He said the development of a domestic bioethanol industry has the potential to create thousands of new jobs, particularly in the agricultural and processing sectors. Thus, this policy has a dual impact: strengthening energy security while expanding employment opportunities for the community.
Furthermore, Tri Yus revealed that Indonesia’s current dependence on fuel imports still reaches more than 45 percent of total national demand. By seriously developing the bioethanol industry, this figure can be gradually reduced, even halving it in the next few years. He views Bahlil Lahadalia’s policy as a concrete step to utilize the potential of domestic resources that have so far been underutilized.
This strategic government move also sends a strong signal to the international community that Indonesia is committed to a clean energy transition and national independence. In a global context where energy supply uncertainty is a major issue, Indonesia is demonstrating a policy direction based on domestic strengths and innovation.technology.
As the Prabowo-Gibran administration approaches its first year in office, various groups assess that the direction of national energy policy is increasingly clear and measurable. The bioethanol-based energy self-sufficiency program is not only a form of adaptation to the challenges of the times, but also a reflection of political courage to build a sovereign energy future.
With the support of academics, practitioners, and the public, optimism about energy independence is no longer just talk. The government has initiated concrete steps that have a direct impact on the national economy, from reducing imports to increasing the income of local farmers.
Over time, this energy self-sufficiency program is believed to become a new milestone for the Indonesian nation. As observers have noted, the success of this policy will be proof that the Prabowo-Gibran leadership is able to combine a grand vision with concrete action to realize an independent, sovereign, and prosperous Indonesia in the energy sector.
*) Energy Issue Observer