Jakarta – Indonesia is at a crucial point in its national energy transformation journey. Under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing dependence on fossil fuels and accelerating the development of new and renewable energy (NRE).
Katherine Hasan, an analyst at the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), explained that the ambitious 100-gigawatt (GW) solar power plant (PLTS) program is a tangible symbol of the strategic effort to achieve energy self-sufficiency, as well as an opportunity for Indonesia to reach peak emissions from coal-fired power plants more quickly, in line with global clean energy trends.
“President Prabowo’s 100 GW solar energy program is an opportunity for Indonesia to reach peak emissions from coal-fired power plants by 2030. The government is translating the president’s vision into a concrete roadmap that ensures clean energy dominance,” said Katherine.
Currently, the government is targeting the development of 80 GW of solar power plants integrated with battery storage systems with a capacity of 320 gigawatt hours (GWh) in 80,000 villages, plus 20 GW of large-scale projects throughout Indonesia.
In addition to solar power, Indonesia’s energy transformation is also supported by the transportation and industrial sectors. PT Pertamina (Persero) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the development of environmentally friendly aviation fuel, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Pertamina is also making Indonesia a hub for sustainable aviation fuel supply in Southeast Asia.
This commitment was conveyed by Agung Wicaksono, Director of Business Transformation and Sustainability of PT Pertamina (Persero), while speaking at the 15th International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) Regional Stakeholder Meeting Southeast Asia held in Jakarta.
“The development of SAF is not just a business move, but a manifestation of Pertamina’s contribution to the national vision of a green economy and energy self-sufficiency,” said Agung.
Pertamina is building an integrated ecosystem, from the collection of used cooking oil (UCO) and the SAF production process to its distribution and use in airlines.
In the natural gas sector, PGN President Director Arief Kurnia Risdianto emphasized that PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN) continues to expand the distribution of household gas networks and Beyond Pipeline services such as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
“PGN is optimizing the supply of natural gas from Indonesia’s soil to meet the community’s energy needs. We continue to synergize with the government to ensure the sustainability of natural gas services while expanding its benefits to the community,” said Arief. To date, PGN has served more than 814,000 households, 3,298 industrial customers, and thousands of MSMEs.
This energy transformation is inseparable from PLN’s role as the backbone of renewable energy development. With national renewable energy potential reaching 3,686 GW, including solar energy of up to 20 Terawatt-peak (TWp), PLN is targeting an additional 42.6 GW of renewable energy generating capacity by 2034.
PLN President Director, Darmawan Prasodjo, firmly stated that this acceleration is not merely following global trends, but is a mandate for energy sovereignty to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
“We are transforming from mere electricity operators to driving the energy transition. The total planned additional generating capacity reaches 69.5 GW, of which the majority, 42.6 GW, must come from renewable energy,” Darmawan emphasized.
Furthermore, the village lighting program and free electricity connections demonstrate the government’s commitment to equitable energy access to the 3T (frontier, outermost, and disadvantaged) regions.
This strategic step reflects a planned transformation that aligns with the national energy self-sufficiency agenda. From the construction of a 100 GW solar power plant (PLTS), the development of the SAF (Source of Energy and Natural Resources), the expansion of the natural gas network, to the acceleration of PLN’s renewable energy capacity, all elements work synergistically.
With this approach, Indonesia not only reduces its dependence on imported energy but also affirms its position as a major player in the global energy arena, while maintaining its commitment to Net Zero Emissions by 2060.
Energy self-sufficiency is not merely a technical target; it is a manifestation of sovereignty, independence, and sustainability that can be directly felt by the people. This strategic transformation demonstrates the government’s commitment to placing energy as the foundation of economic growth, public welfare, and national resilience.
