Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto emphasized the importance of energy self-sufficiency as a long-term strategy to maintain national resilience.
In his various statements, Prabowo emphasized that Indonesia must be prepared to face global turmoil, including geopolitical tensions and the possibility of an international energy crisis.
“We must be prepared for the worst. In a global crisis, other countries will prioritize their own needs, and it is difficult for us to rely on external energy supplies,” Prabowo said.
As a solution, the President proposed developing energy based on domestic resources, especially water and plant crops.
He mentioned palm oil, cassava, sugar cane, sago and corn as potential commodities to be processed into alternative fuels.
In addition, Prabowo also highlighted the great potential of geothermal and water energy as environmentally friendly renewable energy sources.
“We have palm oil that can produce diesel and gasoline. We also have sufficient geothermal energy and abundant coal. Alhamdulillah, we also have sufficient water sources, and technology to produce cheap water that can meet our needs,” he said.
Special Advisor to the President for Energy, Purnomo Yusgiantoro, added that energy self-sufficiency is part of Asta Cita.
He emphasized that the energy sector must play a major role in driving the economic growth target of 8% by 2029.
“Energy security is the key word in achieving energy self-sufficiency, by increasing energy supply, expanding energy reach, and ensuring the use of clean energy,” explained Purnomo.
The strategic steps prepared by the government include increasing energy supply and diversification, as well as efficiency in energy use by shifting fuel subsidies to direct assistance.
The government is also accelerating strategic projects such as Masela and the Semarang-Dumai pipeline, as well as encouraging the downstreaming of coal into DME to reduce LPG imports.
In addition, the Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, stated that the sugar palm tree is of special concern to the President because of its potential in producing bioethanol.
From one million hectares of land, these trees can produce enough bioethanol to replace fuel imports.
“The President has long made the sugar palm his favorite tree, because it is a magical tree that can be used from the tip to the roots,” said the King.
The government has targeted planting 300 thousand hectares of palm oil this year as part of the national energy self-sufficiency plan.
