By: Nadira Citra Maheswari)*
The government’s commitment to achieving energy self-sufficiency is increasingly evident through a series of strategic steps that have now received widespread appreciation. The energy sector development approach is carried out through the 4A principle: Availability, Accessibility, Affordability, and Acceptability as the foundation of national energy security. The Director of Oil and Gas Engineering and Environment at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Noor Arifin Muhammad, stated that to achieve the 4A, the Directorate General of Oil and Gas, together with relevant stakeholders, continues to pursue strategic steps ranging from increasing oil and gas lifting, downstreaming, to implementing a sustainable energy transition to achieve energy self-sufficiency.
With this strategy, the agenda toward energy independence is not only technical but also addresses aspects of equity, affordability, and environmental sustainability. The government strives to ensure that energy is not only available but also easily accessible, affordable, and aligned with low-carbon development policies.
The principle of availability is realized through increasing national oil and gas production. The government is encouraging the exploration and development of new oil and gas wells to expand domestic capacity and extend the life of national energy reserves. Consistent oil and gas lifting is maintained, including through the revitalization of key production blocks. This measure is reinforced by a downstreaming policy that optimizes domestic energy resources to reduce dependence on imports. These efforts not only reduce the burden on foreign exchange but also strengthen the stability of the national economy, which is dependent on energy supplies.
Meanwhile, the principle of accessibility is implemented through the development of energy infrastructure, both in the oil and gas and electricity sectors. Energy access is being expanded to various regions to eliminate geographical barriers as distribution constraints. Expanding transmission networks, building locally sourced power plants, and modernizing energy systems are being implemented to ensure equitable access to energy. Equitable energy distribution is key to economic equality, as electricity and fuel are the backbone of industrial activity, digitalization, and public services.
Within the Affordability framework, the government ensures efficient energy investment, thereby reducing production and distribution costs. This efficiency translates into more affordable energy prices for the public. Energy affordability is crucial for maintaining purchasing power, encouraging industrial growth, and ensuring the productivity of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The Acceptability principle, meanwhile, requires that every energy policy address environmental sustainability and be publicly acceptable. Implementing clean energy, reducing emissions, and developing biofuels are part of the commitment to a gradual energy transition.
Meanwhile, a series of government efforts in collaboration with state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have received praise from various parties. Refinery expansion and oil and gas exploration are also considered a path to energy self-sufficiency. Business and Economics observer Acuviarta Kartabi stated that this policy can reduce dependence on imports while strengthening national economic resilience. Acuviarta stated that Pertamina must also continue to improve its performance, from upstream to downstream oil and gas distribution. This includes innovating new renewable energy sources such as biofuels, given the increasingly limited availability of fossil fuels.
Furthermore, energy self-sufficiency efforts have received support from various parties, including PT Pertamina (Persero). Pertamina has been able to maintain oil and gas production above 1 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOEPD). Pertamina is also increasing new oil and gas reserves to support sustainable energy security. PT Pertamina (Persero) President Director Simon Aloysius Mantiri stated that Pertamina has recorded several achievements, including the discovery of new oil and gas reserves of 724 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMBOE) in the Rokan working area.
The achievements of the energy sector in recent years demonstrate that this commitment is more than mere talk. National oil and gas production has been successfully maintained at over one million barrels of oil equivalent per day. Furthermore, new reserves of over seven hundred million barrels of oil equivalent have been discovered, strengthening the long-term projection of national energy reserves. This increase in reserves is crucial for Indonesia’s progress toward energy self-sufficiency. Furthermore, the construction of oil refineries and the strengthening of processing facilities are part of the ongoing major downstreaming strategy. With increased refinery capacity, domestic fuel needs are expected to be met by national production, further reducing imports.
All of these achievements have been lauded for their ability to strengthen national energy security and simultaneously open up significant opportunities for Indonesia to become self-sufficient from global energy pressures. Amidst the dynamics of global oil prices and the challenges of the energy transition, the government’s steps are seen as realistic and progressive. Efforts to increase oil and gas production, expand biofuels, and expand clean energy capacity constitute a comprehensive strategy toward energy independence. With an increasingly strong foundation, Indonesia has a significant opportunity to reduce energy imports, maintain national stability, and expand economic growth.
With continued progress, Indonesia looks to the future of energy with confidence. Energy self-sufficiency not only means the ability to meet supply independently but also determines the nation’s economic strength. When the energy sector is robust and stable, industry grows more aggressively, prices are more manageable, and public welfare improves sustainably.
*) The author is a Content Writer at Galaswara Digital Bureau
