NEXT urges accelerated use of renewable energy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels

Jakarta (ANTARA) - NEXT Indonesia Center is pushing for accelerated utilisation of renewable energy (EBT) to reduce Indonesia’s dependence on fossil energy, which is considered to still dominate the national energy mix. The centre’s director Christiantoko, in a statement in Jakarta on Sunday, said the energy transition has become a strategic agenda in Indonesia’s development. However, efforts toward a more environmentally friendly energy system still face major challenges, as the national energy structure remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels. ‘As long as the foundation of the energy system remains fossil-based, emission reduction targets will clearly be difficult to achieve,’ he said. Christiantoko explained that Indonesia’s commitment to emission reductions has been outlined in the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) document submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. NEXT Indonesia Center notes that Indonesia’s emission structure has also undergone a significant shift over the past two decades. If in the early 2000s national emissions were dominated by the forestry sector or forestry and other land use (FOLU), now the energy sector has become the largest emitter. Emissions from the energy sector have even exceeded 50 percent in recent years. ‘This trend is clearly very concerning because energy emissions are more persistent and harder to curb. The sources include coal-fired power plants, oil-powered transport, and industrial activity,’ he concluded.