Energy Saving Movement to Maintain Economic Stability
Jakarta – The Central Executive Board of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (BPP HIPMI) is promoting a national energy-saving movement to maintain national economic stability amid increasing pressures from the global energy crisis.
BPP HIPMI General Secretary Anggawira stated in Jakarta on Thursday (26/3) that the movement serves as a strategic step to dampen the impact of the surge in global energy prices on the domestic economy, including potential increases in energy subsidies, pressures on the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN), and risks of rising inflation.
According to him, the current global situation demands quick actions not only on the supply side but also in managing national energy consumption. “We cannot rely solely on the supply side. In a crisis situation like this, managing energy consumption is key. HIPMI is urging the immediate implementation of a national energy-saving movement in a structured, massive, and measurable manner,” Anggawira said.
HIPMI assesses that with global oil prices potentially exceeding APBN assumptions and exchange rate pressures around Rp17,000 per US dollar, controlling energy consumption is an urgent step to maintain fiscal balance and people’s purchasing power.
According to him, energy-saving campaigns to date have been sporadic and not yet integrated nationally. Therefore, HIPMI is pushing for a transformation from mere appeals to a cross-sectoral movement involving the government, business world, and the wider public.
The energy-saving movement is expected to include massive public campaigns to encourage changes in energy consumption behaviour, regulation of energy use in the industrial sector, office buildings, transportation, and the gradual application of energy efficiency standards.
In addition, his side also views the utilisation of digital technology to monitor energy consumption in real-time and the integration of energy policies with the industrial sector and transportation as important to ensure the effectiveness of the programme. “Every energy saving will have a direct impact on reducing the state’s burden and maintaining economic stability. This is a quick step we can take without waiting for large investments in the energy sector,” he said.
HIPMI also emphasised the business world’s readiness to act as the driving force in implementing the movement. The prepared steps include energy efficiency in business operations, investment in energy-saving and environmentally friendly technology, and the conduct of regular energy audits.
In addition, energy efficiency will also be integrated into long-term business strategies as part of efforts to enhance competitiveness amid global pressures. “Energy efficiency is not just about cost savings, but a strategy to increase business competitiveness amid global pressures,” he added.
To ensure effective implementation, HIPMI is urging the government to promptly introduce concrete policies, such as fiscal incentives and financing for businesses undertaking energy efficiency, the preparation of a national cross-sectoral energy-saving roadmap, and the strengthening of regulations and national energy efficiency standards.
In addition, the digitalisation of the national energy system is also seen as important to increase transparency in energy consumption, while ensuring active involvement of the private sector in programme implementation.
HIPMI emphasised that the global energy crisis must be utilised as a momentum to strengthen national energy resilience and sovereignty through efficiency and energy system transformation. “Saving energy today is not just about efficiency, but a strategic investment for a more resilient and independent future Indonesian economy,” Anggawira said.
Previously, Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya explained that President Prabowo Subianto instructed several of his ministers on energy efficiency targeting specific sectors so that the energy-saving policy runs on target.
In a limited meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday (19/3), President Prabowo received reports from several ministers regarding the government’s anticipatory measures to maintain national energy resilience, especially amid the threat of an oil crisis due to wars in Gulf countries and the Middle East.
“The President discussed strategic steps related to the energy-saving plan in various sectors as an anticipation of political dynamics in the Middle East region that could affect the stability of global energy supply and prices,” Teddy said in Jakarta on Thursday (19/3). “The President instructed that efficiency be focused on several specific sectors to maintain domestic energy stability and resilience,” Teddy added.