IESR sees Indonesia poised to become ASEAN's renewable energy leader

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) has assessed that Indonesia has the opportunity to transform from a nation dependent on fossil fuels into a renewable energy leader in the Southeast Asian region.

IESR Chief Executive Officer Fabby Tumiwa said in Jakarta on Monday that this is because Indonesia possesses a technical solar energy potential of approximately 7.7 terawatts (TW) to provide reliable and competitive electricity supporting green economic growth and quality electrification.

“This transformation requires transparent governance, a clear roadmap, competitive procurement, independent oversight, and the strengthening of institutional capacity,” Fabby said.

In the study titled “The Solar Archipelago: Indonesia’s 100 GW Leap to Energy Sovereignty” by IESR and the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, several critical steps were highlighted to achieve this transformation.

In addition to underscoring financing needs estimated at approximately US$70 billion over five years, the study also outlined the need for cross-ministerial coordination, banking support and green financing, as well as private sector participation.

Fabby noted that workforce capacity building is also required, including the need for installation, operations and maintenance (O&M) personnel, as well as the involvement of training centres across various provinces to strengthen capacity.

IESR Head of Energy System Modelling and Analysis Alvin Putra Sisdwinugraha said that in the first phase, 26 GW of decentralised solar power plants integrated with battery energy storage systems (BESS) have been identified, originating from government programmes.