Bahlil Reports Progress of EBETKE Task Force to Prabowo, Discusses PLTD Replacement
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia reported the progress of the New and Renewable Energy and Energy Conversion Task Force (Satgas EBETKE) to President Prabowo Subianto. The discussions covered the conversion of petrol-powered vehicles to electric and plans to reduce diesel power plant (PLTD) generation.
“I have just reported to the President on the progress of the Satgas EBETKE discussions, new and renewable energy and vehicle conversion from petrol to electric,” said Bahlil following a limited meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday, 12 March 2026.
According to Bahlil, the inaugural Satgas EBETKE meeting had previously been held at the ESDM Ministry, involving eight ministries and PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN). During that meeting, the government discussed various strategic measures to accelerate the energy transition in Indonesia.
One of the government’s priorities is to replace diesel-fired power plants that have been using solar fuel. These plants are planned to be replaced with renewable energy-based plants such as solar power plants (PLTS) and geothermal energy.
“The first thing we will complete is the diesels using solar fuel. We will replace those with PLTS and also geothermal,” said Bahlil.
He explained that the locations of PLTD to be replaced are spread across various regions of Indonesia, particularly plants that still depend on solar fuel.
This step is considered important amid an uncertain global geopolitical situation due to conflicts in several regions that could affect long-term energy security.
“In this wartime geopolitical situation we cannot be certain what our energy will look like in the future. Therefore we are optimising all of our domestic energy potential,” he said.
Bahlil emphasised that the process of eliminating PLTD will not be done directly. The government will first build renewable energy plants as replacements. Only after these new plants become operational or reach the commercial operation date (COD) will the PLTD cease operations.
Additionally, the government is planning to adjust the Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL) to support the acceleration of national energy transition. The government is also preparing anticipatory measures by seeking alternative sources for crude oil imports other than from the Middle East region.