Indonesia eyes US partnership to accelerate hydrogen energy push
We have indications that our hydrogen reserves are quite substantial, but we have not tapped into them yet. So, we will collaborate,Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia is paving the way for strategic collaboration with companies from the United States to accelerate the development of its hydrogen energy sector, tapping into a massive pipeline of initiatives valued at Rp32 trillion (approximately US$1.79 billion).
Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Yuliot confirmed the initiative in Jakarta on Friday, highlighting that the partnership aims to leverage US clean energy technology alongside Indonesia’s vast domestic potential.
“America is developing hydrogen as an energy source. We have indications that our hydrogen reserves are quite substantial, but we have not tapped into them yet. So, we will collaborate,” Yuliot said at the ESDM Ministry office.
Data from state electricity company PT PLN shows that Indonesia produces 200 tons of hydrogen annually but consumes only 75 tons, leaving a surplus of 125 tons per year.
To utilize this excess capacity, the ESDM Ministry has recorded 93 initiatives aimed at building a national hydrogen infrastructure, with a total investment value of Rp32 trillion (US$1.79 billion).
The ministry’s Director General of New, Renewable Energy, and Energy Conservation (EBTKE) Eniya Listiani Dewi stated that these projects align with ESDM Minister Bahlil Lahadalia’s mandate to implement “de-dieselization” across remote areas.
Among these initiatives is a pilot project on Rengit Island developed in collaboration with PLN, which combines solar power plants with hydrogen storage systems to replace diesel generators in isolated regions.
Eniya noted that scaling up hydrogen adoption could boost Indonesia’s national energy resilience score from 7 to 8 out of 10. Achieving this goal, she added, requires strategic collaboration involving the government, state-owned enterprises, industry, academia, and international partners.
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Translator: Putu Indah Savitri, Yashinta Difa