Indonesia Advances 93 Hydrogen Projects Worth US$2 Billion
Speaking at the opening of the Global Hydrogen Ecosystem Summit & Exhibition 2026 in Jakarta on Tuesday (July 21), the ministry’s Director General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Eniya Listiani Dewi emphasized that the government is actively overseeing these high-value projects to ensure swift execution.
These initiatives, according to her, align directly with ESDM Minister Bahlil Lahadalia’s directive to accelerate “dedieselization”—the systematic replacement of diesel-fueled power generation with cleaner alternatives.
Among the priority developments is a renewable energy project in Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara, targeted for operational launch by 2028.
Additionally, a proof-of-concept project on Rengit Island, carried out in collaboration with state utility PT PLN, utilizes solar power plants coupled with hydrogen energy storage to power remote communities.
In the geothermal sector, state energy firm PT Pertamina has initiated green hydrogen production powered by geothermal energy at the Ulubelu field in Lampung.
Eniya noted that expanding the domestic hydrogen ecosystem is expected to enhance Indonesia’s energy security index, raising its score from 7 to 8 out of 10.
“We want to tap into our own energy resources, not rely on others,” Eniya said, stressing that realizing this potential requires multi-stakeholder collaboration among government agencies, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), industry players, research bodies and international partners.
Coinciding with the summit, the government launched the Hydrogen Diesel Dual Fuel (H2 DDF) Bus Pilot program in partnership with state-owned transit operator Perum DAMRI.
The initiative modifies conventional diesel engines to run on a blend of diesel and hydrogen, serving as Indonesia’s inaugural step toward implementing low-carbon public transit.
The pilot program aims to reduce imported diesel consumption, lower tailpipe emissions, build a low-carbon transport ecosystem and lay the groundwork for commercial vehicle deployment.
“This technology will not only be used in buses, but also scaled to passenger cars, drones, forklifts and hydrogen-powered household stoves,” Eniya concluded.
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Translator: Putu Indah Savitri, Yashinta Difa