Prabowo forms energy transition task force to accelerate conversion of conventional motorcycles to electric

Jakarta — Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said the government will form a Task Force on energy transition to accelerate program implementation, including the conversion of conventional motorcycles to electric motorcycles. This was stated after he attended a limited meeting with President Prabowo Subianto at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Thursday. He said the task force would be formed to accelerate the conversion of conventional motor vehicles, which number around 120 million motorcycles, to electric motorcycles. ‘The President has formed a task force to accelerate this. And earlier we were given the assignment by the President as Chair of the Task Force to carry out and translate this quickly,’ said Bahlil. The President, he said, aims for the programme to be fully implemented within three to four years, and possibly sooner. ‘The President is very keen that its implementation is carried out as soon as possible, and God willing we will do it in a short period. The President has stated that the maximum is three to four years, or even sooner,’ he explained. In addition to accelerating the conversion of conventional motorcycles, the task force is also tasked with ensuring various energy transition programmes can be implemented promptly, including the development of solar power plants (PLTS) up to 100 gigawatts. The task force will also be responsible for rapidly translating government policy to ensure that energy transition programmes, renewable energy development, and vehicle electrification proceed effectively. Bahlil added that accelerating the energy transition is not only aimed at speeding up the use of clean energy but also at improving the efficiency of the state budget. He explained that converting from diesel-fired power plants (PLTD) to solar power plants (PLTS) would help reduce the government’s electricity subsidy burden. ‘Naturally, the orientation is that we can carry out the energy transition quickly, but we can also reduce subsidies. Because by converting from PLTD, diesel, to PLTS, this will enhance the efficiency of our electricity subsidies and, at the same time, accelerate the use of motorcycles and electric cars,’ he explained.