The 6th Indonesia-US Energy Policy Dialogue Strengthens Bilateral Cooperation in Energy Sector

MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES

REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

PRESS RELEASE

NUMBER: 302.Pers/04/SJI/2021

Date: 1 September 2021

The 6th Indonesia-US Energy Policy Dialogue Strengthens Bilateral Cooperation in Energy Sector

The Indonesian government has continued to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the energy and mineral resources sector with the United States, especially through regular biannual meetings titled the Indonesia-U.S Energy Policy Dialogue. The dialogue is held alternately in Indonesia and the United States. The sixth meeting is held virtually on September 1-2, 2021.

"Currently, the Ministry of EMR is preparing a National Grand Energy Strategy to meet the ideal targets in terms of energy security, energy mix, emission reduction, and economic impacts. Some key policies in the strategy include accelerating the development of renewable energy, increasing gas production, improving the electricity grid infrastructure, and rising the use of battery electric vehicles," said Secretary General of Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (EMR), Ego Syahrial, at the opening of the dialogue on Wednesday (1/9).

Ego said that all global policies were moving towards energy transition and net zero emission. For this reason, the Indonesian government is preparing a long-term strategic planning on energy supply and demand to reach net zero emission by 2060, or sooner with international assistance.

The target can be fulfilled through a number of strategies, among others, number one is massive development of new and renewable energy, which includes all types of renewable energy power plants, nuclear, hydrogen, and battery storage system.

"Number two is reducing the use of fossil energy, through the phase out of coal-fired and combine cycle power plants, no addition of coal-fired power plants except those that already have a power purchase agreement or are in the construction phase and will deploy CCS/CCUS technology for oil, gas, and power plants, and the conversion of diesel power plants into new, renewable energy power plants," explained Ego.

Finally, continued Ego, by developing transmission interconnections and smart grids in the big islands.

Meanwhile, Charge d'Affaires of US Embassy in Jakarta, Michael Kleine, stated that the policy dialogue was an important task. "This is an important task. We exchange ideas, and increase momentum and speed as there will be the (COP) meeting in Glasgow in November. A collective ambition like climate change is a critical issue. Let us continue to progress. This is not just a bilateral and political issue, not just for us, but for our children and our planet," said Kleine.

The dialogue is held back to back in 2 sessions. Session 1 discusses the topics of the power sector and renewable energy integration, and low carbon technology. Session 2 explores the subjects of fossil energy, mining sector to support energy transition, and investing in the energy transition. (IY)

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