Indonesia Aims to Become World Geothermal Leader by 2030, Here Are the Development Assets
Chairman of the Indonesian Geothermal Association (INAGA) Julfi Hadi is urging the acceleration of geothermal energy utilisation as a local Indonesian resource to strengthen national energy security and independence. Indonesia, he said, has the world’s largest geothermal potential, which can serve as a reliable, renewable and clean baseload energy source.
“Geothermal energy has special characteristics and is the only baseload renewable available at present, also renewable, clean, and spread widely from Sabang to Merauke,” Julfi said at the opening of the 12th Indonesia International Geothermal Convention & Exhibition (IIGCE) at the Jakarta Convention Centre (JCC), Jakarta, Wednesday (19/8/2026).
Julfi said accelerating geothermal development is becoming increasingly important amid political, geopolitical and global dynamics. He assessed that developing this energy source can support energy security, accelerate the energy transition, and simultaneously drive national economic growth.
“The energy transition is already very critical because Indonesia is an archipelagic country and can boost GDP by up to eight percent by encouraging manufacturing of geothermal equipment in Indonesia, no longer abroad,” Julfi continued.
He believes Indonesia needs to immediately reduce dependence on fuel oil and accelerate the transformation from fossil energy to geothermal energy. This step is also part of efforts to accelerate green economic development by utilising the still very large geothermal reserves.
“This background obliges us to immediately accelerate the utilisation of 88 percent of geothermal reserves that have not yet been utilised,” Julfi stated.
Julfi said this acceleration is the main ammunition in realising the grand vision of national geothermal development. Indonesia, he said, is targeting to become the world leader in the geothermal sector by 2030 through the 30.1 target.
“This aggressive step is absolutely necessary to realise the grand vision of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, namely the 30.1 target or making Indonesian geothermal number one in the world by 2030,” Julfi said.
According to Julfi, the holding of IIGCE 2026 has historical significance because it coincides with the centenary of the start of geothermal exploration in Indonesia. This momentum, he continued, must become a turning point to accelerate geothermal development more massively.
He invited all stakeholders to make the century-long journey a foundation for making a great leap. Julfi said IIGCE 2026 carries the theme Energy Self-Sufficient, Energy Independent as an affirmation of the importance of energy independence.
“This 100-year momentum must be made a revolutionary turning point. We must transform this century-old legacy into a launch pad for massive take-off to realise 30.1,” Julfi concluded.