Deputy Minister urges Kalimantan to become centre for low-carbon energy development
Banjarmasin (ANTARA) - Deputy Home Affairs Minister Akhmad Wiyagus is encouraging regional governments in Kalimantan to make the region a centre for low-carbon energy development through innovation, resource processing, and sustainable technology to generate added value.
“Kalimantan’s position as one of the national energy barns must become capital to build a more advanced, centralised energy system, not only oriented towards extracting natural resources but also creating economic and environmental benefits sustainably,” Wiyagus said in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, on Thursday.
He emphasised that Kalimantan must not merely be a place for extracting natural resources, but must become a centre for creating added value, energy innovation, processing industries, and low-carbon technology.
“The transformation of the energy sector is an important part of strengthening national energy resilience. Regional governments in Kalimantan must take a strategic role in ensuring that energy resource utilisation runs effectively while maintaining environmental sustainability,” he stated.
He noted that the central government continues to develop energy diversification policies, including increasing the use of biodiesel blends as a step to reduce dependence on imported fuels and strengthen the use of domestic energy resources.
Energy development, he said, cannot be viewed solely from the production side, but must also be able to create added value through processing, innovation, and the application of environmentally friendly technology.
“Energy-producing regions must receive greater development benefits through the development of processing industries and energy-based innovation,” he said.
Wiyagus reminded that the utilisation of natural resources must still consider environmental carrying capacity, because development that ignores sustainability aspects can cause long-term impacts for society and future generations.
He mentioned that regional governments together with Regional People’s Representative Councils (DPRD) have the responsibility to ensure energy policies are balanced between development needs and environmental protection, so that oversight of energy resource management is also necessary to ensure the benefits are felt equitably.
“I am confident that Kalimantan can become one of the key regions in the national energy transition through the development of low-carbon technology. With this approach, the energy sector will not only be a source of regional revenue, but also a driver of sustainable development,” Wiyagus said.