Prabowo Challenges ASEAN's Transition to Renewable Energy: Are We Ready?

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - President Prabowo Subianto has challenged the readiness of ASEAN countries to transition from fossil fuels to cleaner renewable energy. “The question is whether we are ready to act on that potential? Not only to meet our subregional needs but also to contribute to the ASEAN energy transition,” Prabowo said at the Special Summit of the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) in Cebu, Philippines, on Thursday (7/5/2026). Furthermore, Prabowo urged concrete steps to accelerate the development of clean energy in the region. Some highlighted steps include hydropower development in Borneo, expansion of solar energy projects in Palawan, and utilisation of wind energy in coastal areas. Prabowo also cited several measures currently being implemented by Indonesia to speed up solar energy development. “Full speed ahead, 100 GW of solar power, invite our friends, enhance our energy infrastructure, we have the potential,” Prabowo stated. “Energy security is one of the important issues we face today. With increasing global pressures and instability in the Middle East, this is no longer a long-term issue but an urgent one,” Prabowo remarked. In addition to energy development, Prabowo emphasised the importance of strengthening subregional connectivity, including increasing the capacity of the Trans Borneo Power Grid network so that energy distribution can run more efficiently in the region. Meanwhile, Prabowo affirmed that besides energy security, food security is also a fundamental issue that must be a joint concern for BIMP-EAGA countries in maintaining the welfare of the region’s people.