MPR Leader Invites Universities to Support Prabowo's Energy Transition Programme

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Speaker of the MPR Eddy Soeparno has invited universities to support President Prabowo Subianto’s steps to accelerate the transition to renewable energy, including the 100 GW solar energy programme, electrification of the transport sector, and bioenergy development.

“As a response to the current geopolitical situation, President Prabowo’s commitment should be supported by all parties, both political support in parliament and support from the academic community, in this case universities,” Eddy said in his statement in Jakarta on Friday.

He conveyed this at the MPR Goes to Campus event at Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) in Medan. Eddy Soeparno’s presence was welcomed directly by the Rector of UMSU Medan, Prof. Agussani, along with vice-rectors and deans.

In his presentation, Eddy Soeparno emphasised the relevance of energy resilience amid global geopolitical turmoil.

“Among the efforts to achieve energy resilience is accelerating electrification and energy transition to significantly reduce our dependence on energy imports such as crude oil and LPG,” he stated.

He said that forms of university support that can be undertaken include preparing skilled human resources (HR) who are ready to work in the green industry for renewable energy development.

Eddy stated that the accelerated energy transition will open up new job opportunities that require skilled formal labour.

“These job opportunities must be filled by the nation’s own children who are ready and skilled in the green industry. Therefore, a link and match is needed between field needs and the curriculum studied on campus,” he explained.

Eddy also hopes for university support in the form of developing renewable energy research as input for the government in making policies, especially to accelerate the energy transition.

“Why did I initiate the MPR Goes to Campus programme? Because I believe there must be a bridge between campus research as the scientific basis for policies issued by the government,” Eddy said.

He affirmed that the series of efforts to accelerate the energy transition must be enjoyed by the domestic industry, increase industrialisation, enhance our production capacity, and absorb a significant number of formal and skilled workers from the nation’s own children.