National Grand Energy Strategy Improves Energy Master Plan, Says Minister
MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES
PRESS RELEASE
NUMBER: 136.Pers/04/SJI/2021
Date: 20 April 2021
National Grand Energy Strategy Improves Energy Master Plan, Says Minister
The National Grand Energy Strategy improves the National Energy Master Plan (RUEN) and has been prepared based on inputs from state ministries and institutions, state-owned enterprises, the private sector, and related stakeholders, according to Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (EMR) Arifin Tasrif who is also Executive Chair of Indonesian National Energy Council (DEN).
"Adjutment must be made between the old RUEN and the one based on the National Grand Energy Strategy we're currently preparing," continued Arifin in the press conference after the 5th Plenary Session of the DEN on Tuesday (20/4).
The formulation of the National Grand Energy Strategy, Arifin went on, addresses the two-fold challenges of growing long-term energy demand and the limited supply of domestic resources.
"We're still importing oil fuels and LPG. By 2030, we've set a target for no fuel import and we'll try to not import LPG," Arifin asserted.
Arifin also emphasized Indonesia's position in Paris Agreement as to the country's commitment to reducing emissions through renewables. "Indonesia needs to anticipate this commitment by advancing the use of renewables in our national energy mix," he said.
For this reason, Arifin called on the DEN to seize the opportunity by creating new economic values through clean energy. "The President's directive is that the DEN can use the momentum by seizing the opportunity created by the (Covid-19) pandemic to enter green economy because developed countries are heading there and we need to reduce the risk of environmental damage. The formulated strategy must be of visionary nature and implemented consistently," he emphasized.
Arifin explained that the installed capacity of renewables power plants in 2025 is targeted at 24 thousand Mega Watt (MW). By 2035, the capacity is targeted to grow by 38 thousand MW from the current capacity. One of the strategies the Indonesian government has drawn up is to optimize the use of solar energy. "We are trying to make solar energy the backbone because it's getting more economical," said Arifin.
Additionally, the government will accelerate downstream coal processing and completion of gas and electricity infrastructure.
Arifin stated that the government wants to meet the targets of 100 percent electrification and the One-Price Fuel policy so that people across Indonesia can enjoy both programs. "These (programs) can grow the people's economy in the areas," he explained.
On the same occasion, Minister for Research and Technology (Ristek)/Head of Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Bambang Soemantri Brodjonegoro, said his ministry is ready to give technological support. "We want to ensure energy availability and to change its composition towards renewables. Innovation and technological readiness are needed; in fact, the Ministry of Research and Technology has launched several programs about renewables in the 2020-2024 national priorities. By the end of 2024, we've set a target for an increased share of renewables in the national energy mix," Bambang said.
Five technological innovations currently developed by the Ristek/BRIN are biofuel from palm oil, biogas in remote areas, small-scale geothermal power plants, small batteries, and nuclear technology.
On Tuesday (20/4), President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo and Vice President Ma'ruf Amin chaired the 5th Plenary Session of Indonesian National Energy Council (DEN). The Plenary Session was attended by members of the DEN, which made up of state ministers and members of from the stakeholder groups. The agenda items of the Session included National Grand Energy Strategy (GSEN), Energy Buffer Reserves (CPE), and the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan of DEN.
The Plenary Session is the first to be held since the inauguration of members from the stakeholder groups on January 8, 2021.
For the record, the DEN is composed of the President as Chair, Vice President as Deputy Chair, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources as Executive Chair, and members consisting of seven state ministers and eight representatives of stakeholders. The stakeholders come from sectors such as academics, industry, consumer, technology, and the environment. (IY)
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