Bahlil Says Indonesia Cannot Yet Export Electricity
Jakarta (ANTARA) – Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition Bahlil Lahadalia announced that Indonesia would not be able to export electricity in the near future because the country still needs it.
“Indonesia cannot export electricity in the near future. We still need electricity,” Bahlil said at the opening of the 2026 Mineral and Coal Convention and Exhibition (Minerba Convex) in Jakarta on Monday.
Bahlil warned the Indonesia Investment Management Agency (BPI Danantara) not to give in to lobbying by countries that could become destinations for Indonesian electricity exports.
Bahlil, who also serves as Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, said that electricity export permits were the responsibility of the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, not Danantara.
“I have already told Danantara not to let itself be lobbied. No. The permits are with the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, not Danantara,” Bahlil said.
On the occasion, he stressed that national sovereignty and the authority of the state must come first. He added that national sovereignty was non-negotiable.
“Those countries should not just expect things to go their way. Whenever something does not suit them, they start making additional moves,” Bahlil said.
In July 2026, Bahlil said negotiations were under way on the price of green electricity Indonesia would export to Singapore, with the aim of ensuring balanced economic benefits for both countries.
The planned cross-border electricity trade is part of efforts to strengthen economic ties between the two countries, particularly in green energy development and the energy transition. However, finalising the price negotiations remains crucial before the partnership can be implemented.
A balanced price agreement is considered important to ensure that electricity exports are not merely a commercial transaction, but also deliver tangible economic benefits for Indonesia and support sustainable energy cooperation with Singapore.
President Prabowo Subianto appointed BPI Danantara to implement the cross-border electricity trade cooperation with Singapore.