Government Urged to Optimise Subsidised Electric Stove Programme

Executive Director of the Energy Sovereignty Coordinator, Ridwan Hanafi, has urged the government to re-intensify the subsidised electric stove programme as an effort to strengthen national energy resilience. According to him, the programme remains highly relevant to the current situation, particularly in relation to the state’s management of energy subsidies. “The electric stove programme needs to be strengthened again because it has a significant impact on the government’s fiscal capacity in managing energy subsidies,” he stated in a written release on Saturday (28/3). Ridwan assessed that the development of electric stoves is a strategic step amid increasing global pressures in the energy sector, especially due to geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East region that could trigger a rise in global energy prices. He explained that energy diversification through the utilisation of electricity in the household sector can help strengthen national energy resilience, while reducing dependence on imports, particularly LPG. “The realisation of LPG subsidies continues to show an increasing trend every year. Even in 2025, Indonesia will still rely on imports for more than 70 percent of domestic needs,” he revealed. With adequate infrastructure support and good public understanding, electric stoves are considered to have the potential to become a more efficient and sustainable household energy solution. “Strengthening implementation and comprehensive socialisation will make this programme more on target and provide optimal benefits, both for the community and for state finances,” he concluded.