Indonesia prioritizes energy security over fossil fuel phase-out: DEN

Jakarta (ANTARA) - National Energy Council (DEN) member Satya Widya Yudha emphasized that Indonesia's energy transition strategy does not aim to completely eliminate fossil fuels, but will focus instead on fossil decarbonization.

"The most important thing is that Indonesia's transition strategy is not phasing out fossil energy; we are decarbonizing fossils," Satya stated at a national coal supply forum in Jakarta on Tuesday.

He noted that Indonesia has maintained this stance since the presidency of Joko Widodo.

He recalled that during a 2021 meeting, then-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson requested that Indonesia phase out fossil energy entirely.

Instead of committing to a total phase-out, Widodo responded that Indonesia would carefully calculate its approach—a measured stance that laid the groundwork for the current decarbonization framework.

To achieve this, Satya explained that the government's fossil decarbonization measures will include deploying Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology at coal-fired power plants (PLTU).

"We chose fossil decarbonization because we prioritize energy security," he explained, adding that a decarbonization strategy is more suitable for a country with abundant fossil resources than completely halting their use.

He warned against Indonesia falling into an energy crisis by prematurely abandoning fossil fuels, citing previous energy disruptions in the United Kingdom as a cautionary tale.

"When Europe started to run out of gas, England wanted to return to nuclear. But activating nuclear was not easy, and returning to coal was also difficult. Ultimately, there was a blackout in Northern England," Satya remarked. "If this happened in Indonesia, it would be absurd. So our choice [fossil decarbonization] was not wrong."

Echoing the council's pragmatic stance, Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Minister Bahlil Lahadalia confirmed that the government will continue utilizing coal to fuel power plants.

The decision, he explained, is vital to maintaining energy efficiency and keeping electricity rates affordable for the public.

Bahlil argued that Indonesia cannot afford to rush its exit from coal, particularly at a time when several developed nations—including the United States and some European countries—retained or reopened coal options to safeguard domestic energy security.

He stressed that Indonesia must prioritize national interests and efficiency when determining its energy transition pathway, noting that coal remains necessary to maintain stability in national energy supplies and pricing.

"I decided, let's just go with coal. This is about survival mode; we are talking about efficiency," Bahlil concluded. "Let's not sacrifice our people with high electricity prices."

Translator: Putu Indah Savitri, Yashinta Difa

Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono

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