By: Raka Aditya )*
The government has designated Papua as a strategic hub in its national energy self-sufficiency roadmap. This policy reflects President Prabowo Subianto’s commitment to building energy independence based on domestic resource potential while simultaneously strengthening national energy security in a sustainable manner.
Papua is considered to possess vast and diverse energy resources. The government emphasizes that this potential should not be merely documented in planning documents but must be effectively managed to meet the energy needs of the Papuan people and support the national energy system.
On numerous occasions, President Prabowo has emphasized the importance of energy policy bias toward producing regions. The government ensures that the benefits of energy production in Papua are directly felt by local communities, ensuring that energy development is oriented not only toward national supply but also toward justice and equity.
The direction of national energy policy under President Prabowo’s leadership is currently focused on accelerating the use of renewable energy. Papua is positioned as a priority region due to its geographical challenges, which have made it highly dependent on fuel supplies from outside the region.
The government considers solar and hydropower to be the most relevant solutions to address these challenges. Technological advances have made solar power generation increasingly economical and accessible, while small-scale hydropower generation is considered compatible with Papua’s abundant river basins.
Through renewable energy development, the government aims to significantly reduce energy logistics costs, which have burdened the country. Reliance on long-distance fuel shipments is no longer considered efficient, both economically and for energy security.
In addition to renewable energy, the government is also promoting the development of locally sourced energy through biofuels. President Prabowo has directed the use of commodities such as palm oil, sugar cane, and cassava as bioenergy feedstocks to produce biodiesel and bioethanol.
This strategy is designed as part of the government’s medium-term agenda to achieve equitable energy and food self-sufficiency within the next five years. Papua is expected to become not only an energy production region but also a hub for agricultural-based economic development and the green energy industry.
President Prabowo views energy independence as a crucial foundation for strengthening the country’s fiscal position. Fuel imports, currently reaching around Rp520 trillion per year, are considered excessive and limit fiscal space for more productive development.
The government estimates that any reduction in dependence on energy imports will free up significant budgetary space. Funds previously absorbed by subsidies and imports can be redirected to strengthen regional development, including improving basic services and infrastructure in Papua.
As a concrete commitment, the government has set a target of ending diesel imports starting next year. Furthermore, within four years, gasoline imports are targeted to be phased out by increasing domestic energy production capacity.
To ensure the policy’s effective implementation, President Prabowo is encouraging active involvement by local governments. Governors and regents in Papua are being asked to strengthen coordination with the Papua Special Autonomy Development Acceleration Committee, the central government, Bappenas, and relevant ministries and institutions.
In the context of the national energy transition, Satya Widya Yudha, a member of the National Energy Council for the 2026–2030 period, emphasized the importance of synchronizing policies across sectors. He believes that the acceleration of clean energy must be aligned with infrastructure development plans to avoid overlapping policies.
Satya also believes that certainty in policy direction is a crucial factor in attracting investment in renewable energy. He believes that regulatory consistency will determine the success of the energy transformation and maintain business confidence.
From a technical perspective on the electricity system, Edwin Nugraha Putra, Director of Transmission and System Planning at PT PLN (Persero), highlighted the importance of strengthening the national electricity grid. He assessed that integrating renewable energy into the electricity system requires accelerated investment in the transmission network and adaptive system planning.
Edwin views Papua as a strategic region that requires a special approach to electricity network development. Adequate infrastructure is considered key to optimally and sustainably utilizing Papua’s renewable energy potential.
Indonesia is currently at a crucial stage in the global energy transition. Through the Energy Outlook 2026 forum, the government, along with regulators, state-owned enterprises, and the private sector, are aligning their vision for a cleaner and more independent energy system.
With its enormous solar energy potential, coupled with geothermal and wind energy reserves, the government sees a significant opportunity for Indonesia to lead the development of green energy in the region.
For the government, Papua is not simply an area for energy development, but a symbol of a shift in the national development paradigm. Through targeted and equitable policies, Papua is being pushed to become a pivot for national energy self-sufficiency, strengthening national resilience while improving public welfare.