Jakarta – The government is increasingly emphasizing its commitment to achieving energy self-sufficiency, an agenda that has now become a key pillar of the national development strategy to strengthen the economy, reduce dependence on imports, and boost employment.
This target has increasingly received public attention after President Prabowo Subianto raised it as the foundation of the nation’s transformation strategy in the context of central and regional development synergy at the 2026 National Coordination Meeting (Rakornas) of the Central and Regional Governments.
In his address to regional heads, President Prabowo repeatedly emphasized the importance of a strong national energy base as the key to overall national independence. He explained that food and energy self-sufficiency are not merely symbolic goals, but a concrete foundation for strengthening national productivity and public welfare.
“Food and energy self-sufficiency is the main foundation of the national transformation strategy that I have proposed and am implementing now. We have extraordinary advantages. If we want to be independent, if we want to prosper, we must guarantee food and energy production so that all our people can enjoy them,” the President said.
The Daily Chair of DEN and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, emphasized that the cabinet’s energy policy direction is now focused on four strategic pillars: energy sovereignty, energy security, energy independence, and ultimately energy self-sufficiency.
“One of President Prabowo’s priority programs is energy sovereignty, energy security, energy independence, and ultimately energy self-sufficiency. One of the state’s instruments to achieve this is through policy direction and a roadmap developed in collaboration with the National Energy Council,” Bahlil said.
According to Bahlil, the strategies being implemented include increasing domestic oil and gas production capacity, accelerating the transition to new and renewable energy sources such as biofuels and solar power, and developing storage infrastructure to strengthen national reserves. The government is also working to increase the use of bioethanol blends in fuel, which could significantly reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports in the coming years.
Meanwhile, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi highlighted the importance of establishing the DEN as a driving force for accelerating cross-sectoral coordination in achieving energy self-sufficiency. He explained that while several technical programs are already underway, synergy between institutions and regions through the DEN will accelerate the implementation of these priority programs.
“We hope that the presence of the National Energy Council will further accelerate the preparation process for pursuing several priority programs toward energy self-sufficiency,” Prasetyo said.
Economists and businesspeople have welcomed this government move, believing that the momentum for energy self-sufficiency will not only support national supply stability but also open investment opportunities, boost the downstream energy industry value chain, and create new jobs in strategic sectors. This optimistic sentiment is further reinforced by the B40 biodiesel development policy and the planned mandatory 10% bioethanol consumption by 2028.
With measured strategic steps and strong support from all stakeholders, the government is confident that energy self-sufficiency will become a reality in the coming years. This success is seen not merely as a technocratic achievement, but also as a powerful multiplier effect for national economic growth.***