Pramono Communicates with Bahlil on Hydrogen Use for Transjakarta

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has responded to a proposal from Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia regarding the use of hydrogen as fuel for Transjakarta buses. Pramono stated that the Jakarta provincial government is currently preparing a study before realising the plan. He made the statement after inaugurating a contactless credit card payment system (EMV Contactless) at the Bundaran HI MRT Station in Central Jakarta on Wednesday (29/7/2026). “I have been in communication with the Minister of ESDM, Mr Bahlil, and Mr Bahlil has also assigned the President Director of PLN to discuss the use of hydrogen for transportation in Transjakarta and Transjabodetabek,” Pramono said. Pramono noted that discussions are still in the early stages. According to him, the government will first mature various aspects, especially the readiness of supporting infrastructure. “We will mature it first. Later, when the infrastructure is ready and the time is right, we will inform the public,” he stated. He revealed that the push for hydrogen usage does not only come from the Ministry of ESDM. Several vehicle manufacturers have also expressed interest in making Jakarta a trial location for hydrogen-fuelled vehicles. “They are even willing to donate one or two cars as a pilot project for hydrogen use in Jakarta,” he said. According to him, this offer signals that hydrogen technology is beginning to be seen as an environmentally friendly energy alternative for the transportation sector. However, the Jakarta provincial government will still prioritise technical studies before deciding on its implementation. Previously, Indonesia began implementing a hydrogen development programme in the transportation sector. This step was marked by the launch of the Hydrogen Diesel Dual Fuel Bus Pilot or H2 DDF Bus, as well as the development of a 194 km Green Hydrogen Corridor connecting Jakarta, Karawang, and Patimban. Both initiatives were introduced at the Global Hydrogen Ecosystem Summit (GHES) 2026, which took place from 21-23 July 2026 at the Jakarta International Convention Center (JICC). Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia assessed that hydrogen not only plays a role in the energy transition but also has the potential to strengthen national energy independence and self-sufficiency, as well as boost downstream processing and industrialisation. “Hydrogen is a very important alternative energy amidst uncertain global geopolitical conditions, such as the conflict in the Middle East which breeds uncertainty. This condition forces every country to protect its national energy needs by utilising its respective comparative advantages,” Bahlil said in a written statement on Wednesday (22/7).