Supporting Prabowo-Gibran Government Strategy to Realize Energy Independence
By: Eleine Pramesti *)
Indonesia as an archipelagic country with abundant natural resources has great potential to achieve energy independence. However, challenges in national energy management are still a major issue that must be resolved in order to realize energy resilience and sustainability. The Prabowo-Gibran government brings a strong strategic vision to accelerate energy independence through policies oriented towards efficiency, diversification, and sustainability. This strategy is expected to not only guarantee domestic energy supply but also increase Indonesia’s competitiveness at the global level.
The Prabowo-Gibran government places exploration and management of domestic energy resources as a top priority. Indonesia has large reserves of coal, natural gas, and oil that must be utilized optimally while still considering environmental sustainability. In addition, optimizing the use of geothermal energy, water, and biomass is also part of the energy resource diversification strategy.
It is known that President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated 37 strategic national electricity projects covering 26 power plants with a total capacity of 3.2 gigawatts, as well as 11 transmission networks and substations in 18 provinces. President Prabowo expressed his pride in this great achievement. He hopes that Indonesia will become a modern country, a developed country, and the welfare of the Indonesian people can increase. The President also plans to eliminate poverty from the earth of Indonesia. For this reason, maximizing the ability to utilize energy from natural resources is expected to help this transformation.
President Prabowo is also targeting energy independence in the next five years, including stopping the import of fuel oil (BBM). President Prabowo is optimistic that Indonesia will not only become an independent country, but also become one of the main players in the global energy transformation
President Director of PT PLN, Darmawan Prasodjo said that the success of this project cannot be separated from the support of the government under the leadership of President Prabowo. According to him, these projects have become much smoother and are one of the achievements in the 100-day program of President Prabowo Subianto’s government.
The development of reliable and efficient energy infrastructure is the main key to energy independence efforts. The government plans to increase the capacity of domestic oil refineries to be able to meet fuel needs independently, thereby reducing dependence on imports. In addition, modernization of the electricity network and development of smart grids will also be carried out to increase the efficiency of energy distribution throughout Indonesia.
As part of its commitment to sustainability, the Prabowo-Gibran government will accelerate the transition to renewable energy. Indonesia has great potential in the solar, wind, and hydro energy sectors that can be utilized to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The development of Solar Power Plants (PLTS), Wind Power Plants (PLTA), and investment in energy storage technology will be strategic steps in strengthening national energy security.
The energy self-sufficiency target initiated by the Government of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka is fully supported by various policies. Entering the 100th day of Prabowo-Gibran’s work, there have been several energy projects to support and accelerate the energy self-sufficiency target.
One of the things that Pertamina is doing to support the energy self-sufficiency target is, among others, the discovery of a number of new oil and gas wells, the development of clean energy potential from biofuels (BBN) such as biodiesel, bioavtur, bioethanol to the support of Pertamina Digital Hub.
Energy observer, Hanifa Sutrisna said that she strongly supports energy self-sufficiency, because of its very good impact. According to her, the meaning of energy self-sufficiency is that all Indonesian people must have the same opportunity for energy, so that no one has difficulty accessing it. With energy self-sufficiency, she explained, it means that Indonesia is ready to meet its own energy needs. Especially, encouraging clean energy with new and renewable energy.
Hanifa appreciated the efforts from upstream to downstream. Including the initiation carried out through biofuels such as biodiesel, bioavtur, bioethanol and other clean energy. All of that plays a very big role in supporting the achievement of energy self-sufficiency. Pertamina cannot work alone, but there must be good cooperation between institutions and provincial agencies.
In addition to increasing production, efficiency in energy use is also an equally important aspect. The government will encourage the implementation of energy-saving technology in the industrial, transportation, and household sectors. In addition, energy awareness campaigns will be intensified to encourage wiser energy consumption patterns insociety.
The positive impact of energy independence can certainly reduce dependence on imported energy, national economic stability can be better maintained, especially from global energy price shocks. In addition, the development of the domestic energy sector will open up new investment opportunities and create jobs for the community. So, with sufficient energy production to meet domestic needs, Indonesia can be more independent in determining its energy policies without external pressure.
The government’s efforts to realize energy independence are strategic steps that must be supported by all parties, both the public, private, and community sectors. The implementation of appropriate and comprehensive policies will bring Indonesia towards an era of energy independence that is not only oriented towards national resilience but also environmental sustainability. The Prabowo-Gibran government has designed a focused and visionary strategy, so that synergy is needed between all elements of the nation to realize this goal for the welfare and progress of Indonesia in the future.
)* The author is an Energy Journalist at the Greenpeace Resources Institute