Maize and Sugar Cane Could Become Fuel, President Prabowo Explains

President Prabowo Subianto has stated that Indonesia possesses various alternative energy sources amidst the global crisis, including the capacity to produce biofuels from maize and sugar cane.

“We have many alternatives. We are confident that we will overcome this problem. Many countries are in more difficult conditions than us. We have abundant palm oil. We will have sufficient cassava. We can obtain fuel from maize, from sugar cane,” Prabowo said whilst providing guidance at the Danantara First Anniversary Thanksgiving ceremony in Jakarta on Wednesday.

According to Prabowo, this potential represents one of Indonesia’s strengths in facing a world situation fraught with uncertainty and crisis.

The President stated that the crisis could serve as a catalyst to accelerate efforts to strengthen national resilience, including in the energy sector.

Prabowo conveyed that Indonesia possesses numerous natural resources that can be leveraged to support energy independence. Beyond maize and sugar cane as energy feedstock, Indonesia also has substantial palm oil reserves and considerable cassava potential.

The President also highlighted Indonesia’s geothermal energy potential. He noted that Indonesia’s geothermal reserves rank among the world’s largest but remain incompletely utilised.

“We have very substantial geothermal reserves, if I am not mistaken the second-largest in the world, which have not been fully exploited,” he stated.

Additionally, Prabowo has instructed the development of renewable energy through solar power. He has set a target for constructing solar power plants (PLTS) with a capacity reaching 100 gigawatts in the shortest possible timeframe.

“In the shortest timeframe, we will construct 100 gigawatts. This is already my order, this is already my decision, and we will prove to the world that we are faster and more effective in this regard,” he asserted.

In his remarks, Prabowo also assessed that the global crisis could serve as a driver for Indonesia to accelerate various previously developed plans, including food and energy self-sufficiency programmes.

“I am convinced and believe that the Indonesian nation has been given extraordinary natural wealth and we are capable of emerging from this crisis. We will emerge from this crisis stronger. In my view, this crisis is a blessing in disguise. Indeed, it is fraught with difficulties and challenges. But it compels us to accelerate good intentions,” Prabowo said.

“We already have a plan for food self-sufficiency, and thank God, it has been partially achieved. We already have the intention for energy self-sufficiency, and we are confident our plan will be achieved within another four years,” he added.