By: Yohanes Wandikbo )*
The government’s efforts to strengthen national energy security are increasingly demonstrating a comprehensive and equitable approach, one example being the focus on energy development in Papua. This eastern region of Indonesia is no longer viewed merely as a peripheral region, but rather as a strategic part of the nation’s energy future. With its rich natural resources, agricultural potential, and promising oil and gas reserves, Papua plays a crucial role in supporting Indonesia’s long-term energy needs. The government’s policy of combining the development of new and renewable energy with strengthening the upstream oil and gas sector reflects the country’s commitment to building a sustainable, inclusive, and sovereign energy system.
Papua’s energy security is achieved through two main approaches. First, developing new and renewable energy based on local agricultural commodities such as cassava and sugar cane. Second, increasing investment in the upstream oil and gas sector to maintain the continuity of the national fossil fuel supply. These two approaches complement each other. Renewable energy forms the foundation of the long-term energy transition, while oil and gas continue to play a crucial role in supporting national energy needs during the transition period.
President Prabowo Subianto’s push for Papua to become a center for renewable energy raw material development reflects a development vision that integrates energy security and strengthening the people’s economy. Agricultural commodities, which have long been the mainstay of the local economy, are being promoted to become part of the national energy supply chain. Cassava and sugarcane, for example, have significant potential for processing into bioethanol as an alternative fuel to petroleum. This approach is not only about energy, but also about creating added economic value, creating jobs, and improving the welfare of the Papuan people.
The policy has received technocratic support from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. Eniya Listiani Dewi, Director General of New, Renewable Energy, and Energy Conservation at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, stated that the government is targeting national bioethanol feedstock production from various regions, including Papua, to reach hundreds of thousands of kiloliters per year. This projection demonstrates that Papua has been seriously included in national energy planning, not just mere talk. The government understands that developing a bioethanol industry requires realistic steps, starting with seeding, land expansion, and strengthening the supporting industrial ecosystem.
According to Eniya Listiani Dewi, Director General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (NREKE) at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, bioethanol development in Papua is currently in its early stages, with a focus on providing raw materials through plant nurseries and development. However, this stage is a crucial foundation for sustainable bioenergy industry development that does not compromise environmental or social aspects. The government is opting for a gradual and measured approach to ensure that incoming investment truly provides long-term benefits for the region.
Furthermore, the bioethanol development policy is also directed towards avoiding centralization on Java. The government is encouraging the strengthening of raw material sources and the construction of factories outside Java, including in Papua, to reduce logistics costs and create equitable development. Within this framework, Papua will not only serve as a supplier of raw materials but also has the potential to become a hub for an integrated renewable energy industry. This strategy aligns with the agenda of economic equality and strengthening eastern Indonesia as a new growth engine.
On the other hand, strengthening Papua’s energy security is also being pursued through optimizing the upstream oil and gas sector. Investment in this sector remains necessary to maintain the stability of the national energy supply and increase state revenue. The local government has also expressed support for the oil and gas investment plan, which is considered to provide fiscal and economic benefits for the region. Suroso, Head of the Manpower, Transmigration, Energy and Mineral Resources Agency of Southwest Papua, assessed that upstream oil and gas business activities have significant potential to increase state and regional revenues through a profit-sharing scheme, while simultaneously stimulating local economic growth.
Suroso, Head of the Manpower, Transmigration, Energy, and Mineral Resources Agency of Southwest Papua, expressed his view that the central government’s commitment to creating a healthy and sustainable investment climate aligns with the government’s commitment to creating a healthy and sustainable investment climate. Oil and gas investment is positioned not only as a source of revenue but also as a means of technology transfer, capacity building for the local workforce, and strengthening regional infrastructure. With transparent and accountable management, the oil and gas sector can become an instrument of inclusive development for Papua.
The synergy between renewable energy and oil and gas in Papua reflects a realistic and adaptive policy approach. The government is not trapped in the old dichotomy between fossil fuels and clean energy, but rather integrates the two within the framework of a just energy transition. Papua, with all its potential, serves as an example of how regions can contribute to the national agenda while reaping tangible benefits from state policies.
Papua’s energy security is ultimately not just about energy supply, but also about equitable development, economic sovereignty, and national unity. With consistent policies, strong regulatory support, and collaboration between the central and regional governments, and the business sector, Papua has a significant opportunity to become a key pillar of Indonesia’s energy security. The steps taken by the government today demonstrate that energy development is no longer centralized but rooted in regional potential and the needs of the people. This is a crucial foundation for resilient and sustainable national energy independence.
)* The author is an observer of Papuan development