By: Putri Ayu Lestari )*
The government has positioned Papua as a new hope in its ambitious national energy self-sufficiency agenda. Under President Prabowo Subianto’s leadership, Papua is projected to not only be able to meet its own food needs but also become self-sufficient in energy supply, contributing to Indonesia’s overall energy security.
President Prabowo emphasized that Papua possesses vast energy resources that have not been optimally utilized. The government believes that this potential must be managed in a planned manner to support regional independence, rather than simply being a reserve that has no real impact on the community’s welfare.
In his policy direction delivered to regional heads across Papua and the Executive Committee for the Acceleration of Papua’s Special Autonomy Development, the President emphasized the importance of fairness in energy management. The government ensures that energy produced in Papua must directly benefit the Papuan people, ensuring that energy development goes hand in hand with regional social and economic development.
In addition to strengthening conventional energy, the government has consistently promoted the use of alternative energy sources in remote areas of Papua. Solar and hydropower are seen as the most relevant solutions to Papua’s geographic conditions, especially in areas difficult to reach by conventional energy grids.
Technological advances are believed to have made solar energy more affordable and accessible, while the potential of Papua’s rivers offers significant opportunities for the development of small-scale hydropower plants. The government views this approach as a strategic step to reduce Papua’s dependence on fuel supplies from outside the region, which currently incur high logistical costs.
The President views energy self-sufficiency as a key to the country’s fiscal health. Data from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources indicates that fuel imports will reach approximately IDR 520 trillion in 2025. This figure is considered excessively high and limits fiscal space for more productive development.
By reducing reliance on imports, the government estimates the potential for savings of hundreds of trillions of rupiah annually. These funds can be diverted to strengthen regional development, including in Papua, down to the district and city levels.
However, the government recognizes that reducing energy imports cannot be achieved instantly. President Prabowo stated that diesel imports will continue in the short term, but the government aims to gradually phase out this dependence. The government hopes to eliminate gasoline imports within the next four years by increasing domestic energy production.
In line with the President’s directive, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, emphasized that the government is promoting energy self-sufficiency by optimizing all regional potential, both fossil and biofuels. The government views this approach as a realistic strategy to reduce fuel imports.
Bahlil explained that the government is implementing the B50 biodiesel program, which utilizes palm oil as the primary raw material. This policy is expected to significantly reduce the use of imported diesel fuel while encouraging the development of more environmentally friendly energy sources.
The increased use of biodiesel automatically increases the demand for palm oil as a raw material. Therefore, the government sees Papua as a region with the potential to support a sustainable supply of raw materials, while still considering environmental and social aspects.
In addition to biodiesel, the government is also implementing a mandatory bioethanol program to reduce still-high gasoline imports. Bioethanol derived from cassava, corn, and sugarcane is projected to become a significant part of the national energy mix. Papua is considered to have sufficient land potential to support the production of this ethanol feedstock.
The 10 percent bioethanol mandate, targeted to begin in 2027, is seen as a follow-up to the success of the biodiesel program. The government hopes this policy will gradually reduce gasoline imports and strengthen national energy sovereignty.
From the perspective of the Papuan people, Golkar Party politician and native Papuan, Yance Mote, believes that public welfare must be at the center of any energy policy. He believes the central government has demonstrated its commitment by opening up space for Papuans to participate directly in the management of their natural resources.
Yance emphasized that Papuans need to be given the opportunity to cultivate their own land through fair and sustainable schemes. He believes the central government’s role should be more focused on supervision, providing facilities, and mentoring so that communities can become key actors in the energy self-sufficiency program.
He also stated that Papuans generally support the national energy self-sufficiency agenda, provided that its management must be pro-people. The development of commodities such as coffee, sugar cane, cocoa, cloves, and nutmeg is considered a viable alternative that aligns with Papua’s social and cultural character.
The proposal to provide plasma seedlings to each family is considered a potential source of new income without eliminating customary land rights. This scheme would allow the government to absorb harvested crops for downstream processing and export, thereby providing sustainable economic benefits to the community.
The government views direct community involvement as key to achieving energy self-sufficiency in Papua. By emphasizing the importance of communities as the subject of development, energy programs not only strengthen national resilience but also promote improved welfare and sustainable environmental protection.
