The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) plans to explore\ncooperation with several companies from the United States to develop\nIndonesia\u2019s hydrogen potential. This move comes as Indonesia possesses\nsignificant hydrogen reserves that have yet to be fully utilised.<\/p>\n
Deputy Minister of ESDM Yuliot Tanjung revealed that the US is a\nleader in developing hydrogen as a new and renewable energy source. By\nleveraging technology from the US, the government aims to accelerate the\ndomestic utilisation of hydrogen potential.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also have indications that our hydrogen reserves that can be\nmined are quite large, but we have not yet pursued them. Therefore, we\nwill also cooperate with several companies from America,\u201d Yumbot stated\nat the Ministry of ESDM office in Jakarta on Friday (2\/10\/2026).<\/p>\n
Yuliot explained that the hydrogen development cooperation plan is\nalso part of a series of diplomatic agendas and the G20 Forum to\nstrengthen global energy security. In addition to the United States,\nIndonesia is also exploring renewable energy technology exchange with\nother advanced nations such as Norway, Japan, and France.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring this meeting, for example, we have technology cooperation\nagreements with several countries,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Beyond focusing on hydrogen potential with the US, Indonesia also\nwishes to adopt Norway\u2019s experience in utilising large river potentials\nfor Hydroelectric Power Plants (PLTA). \u201cLike Norway, 90% of their\nelectricity comes from hydropower. Meanwhile, we have significant\npotential in large rivers that we have not yet maximised,\u201d he\nexplained.<\/p>\n
Minister of ESDM Bahlil Lahadalia emphasised that Indonesia can build\na hydrogen ecosystem because its raw materials are abundant\ndomestically. He believes that energy downstreaming is a solution to\nface global geopolitical uncertainties that often disrupt fossil fuel\nsupplies.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I want to convey to all of you is that the raw materials for\nhydrogen in our nation are beyond doubt, and this is a part that must\ncontinue to be pushed,\u201d Boleh said at the Global Hydrogen Ecosystem\nSummit and Exhibition (GHES) 2026 in Jakarta on Tuesday (21\/7\/2026).<\/p>\n
Bahlil detailed that hydrogen can be produced through various\nIndonesian resources, ranging from water and natural gas to the\nprocessing of low-calorific coal. He noted that availability exists in\nvarious regions and can serve as capital for the hydrogen industry to\ndevelop independently without import dependency.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause hydrogen is produced from water, gas, and low-calorific\ncoal. We can transform our low-calorific coal fossils into hydrogen\nusing technology. We have the water,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The potential water reserves to support the hydrogen industry are\nalso recorded as very large, such as in Mamberamo, Papua, with a\ncapacity of 21 Gigawatts (GW), and the Kayan River, which reaches 14 GW.\nFurthermore, the national gas supply is predicted to surge following the\ndiscovery of new reserves in East Kalimantan and the development of the\nMasela Block.<\/p>\n
Through the utilisation of these domestic resources, the government\ntargets the creation of energy self-sufficiency so that Indonesia no\nlonger relies on foreign powers. The use of more efficient technology is\na primary focus to ensure that the price of hydrogen in the future can\nbe much more competitive compared to fossil fuels.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, the state\u2019s commitment is determined by three things: first,\nthat we continue to use clean energy; second, that it is efficient\nenergy; and third, that the energy can be produced within the Unitary\nState of the Republic of Indonesia,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n
The Director General of New, Renewable Energy, and Energy\nConservation (EBTKE) at the Ministry of ESDM, Eniya Listiani Dewi,\nstated that there are currently 93 hydrogen ecosystem development\ninitiatives spread across various regions of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
She stated that the investment potential from the development of this\ngreen fuel is estimated to reach approximately Rp 32 trillion.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe currently have 93 hydrogen ecosystem development initiatives,\nwith projects spread throughout Indonesia. These projects represent an\ninvestment of Rp 32 trillion that we will oversee,\u201d Eniya said during\nthe same event.<\/p>\n
She noted that her department will oversee all projects to ensure\nthey are realised according to the Minister of ESDM\u2019s directives. One\nfocus is implementing hydrogen projects that support the\n\u2018de-dieselisation\u2019 programme, which aims to reduce the use of\ndiesel-powered power plants in remote areas.<\/p>\n
She cited a project in Sumba, which is targeted to begin commercial\noperation (COD) in 2028. Additionally, a similar project is being\ndeveloped on Rengit Island in collaboration with PT PLN (Persero).<\/p>\n
Eniya revealed that the implementation of this system has the\npotential to significantly cut power generation costs. At the very\nleast, diesel-based electricity costs, which currently reach around Rp\n20,000 per kWh or approximately US$ 1 per kWh, could be reduced to\naround US$ 0.25 per kWh.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is one of our efforts to prove the concept of using solar power\nplants in remote areas, using hydrogen as energy storage,\u201d she said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-to-engage-us-companies-to-develop-hydrogen-potential-1790942041", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }