AESI: Indonesia's Energy Independence Can Start from Rooftops

The Indonesian Solar Energy Association (AESI) has stated that national energy independence can begin with the utilisation of solar power from the rooftops of homes. AESI Chairman Mada Ayu Habsari said the solar energy transition is a national agenda that requires strengthening the ecosystem and cross-stakeholder cooperation. “The solar energy transition is our national dream and agenda. For this reason, AESI is collaborating with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) and also PLN,” Mada said in a press release on Friday.

To bring this issue closer to the public, AESI packaged the message through a sports and education event, the AESI Solar Run 2026, themed “Stepping into 100 GW”. The event took place during Car Free Day in Jakarta on Sunday, with 500 participants joining the 5K and 10K categories along Jalan M.H. Thamrin to Jalan Sudirman. I Made Aditya Suryawidya, Vice Chairman of AESI for Research and Technology, explained that a fun run was chosen as an accessible way to initiate conversations about solar energy. “Every participant carries the same message, that the utilisation of solar energy can start today, and it can start from the roof of each home,” he said.

The government expressed support for the initiative. Tirta Nugraha Mursitama, Expert Staff to the Minister of ESDM for Institutional Relations, stated that the government is encouraging massive development of the solar energy ecosystem. Meanwhile, PT PLN (Persero) Risk Management Director Denny Triyanto likened the energy transition to a long-distance run that requires endurance and collective effort. Dadan Kusdiana, Secretary General of the National Energy Council, who participated in the 10K run, added that the government cannot work alone in promoting solar energy utilisation and welcomed the collaborative spirit shown by associations and the public.