Public Must Be Key Players in Energy Transition

Renewable energy pioneer Tri Mumpuni has stressed that the transition from fossil fuels to new and renewable energy must continue, particularly amid global energy supply uncertainty caused by conflict in the Middle East. According to Tri, developing renewable energy not only aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuels but also to accelerate electricity access for communities still living in frontier, outermost, and disadvantaged regions. “Renewable energy is a must, the energy transition must keep going,” said Tri, who has pioneered electricity empowerment in more than 60 remote locations across Indonesia. The member of the Steering Committee of the National Research and Innovation Agency emphasised that the energy transition process must prioritise the principle of justice by involving the community as the main actors. She said communities need to be given space and direct benefits from renewable energy development in their respective areas. “The scheme for transitioning to new and renewable energy must involve the community. It must be developed by upholding the principle of justice; the community must have a stake in this renewable energy issue,” she stated. Tri shared her long experience in building micro-hydro power plants in various remote areas. According to her, community involvement from the construction stage has enabled these energy facilities to survive and continue operating to this day. “The equipment we built together with communities from the 1990s is still running now, because it is guarded and maintained by the community,” she said. She also supports the development of the Patriot Energi programme, which involves young people in assisting communities in disadvantaged regions to identify and develop renewable energy potential. Tri believes the programme can serve as a means to expand energy democratisation while boosting community economic growth based on local resources. Furthermore, she reminded that Indonesia has committed to achieving the Net Zero Emission target by 2060. To reach this target, Indonesia needs to optimise all available renewable energy sources, from hydropower, solar, geothermal, and wind to biomass and biofuels. “Indonesia must prepare energy sources through new and renewable energy, whether water, wind, geothermal, solar power or nuclear energy. This must all be accompanied by a commitment to involve the community,” Tri said. In addition to promoting the use of renewable energy, Tri mentioned that BRIN is currently developing Petasol, an alternative fuel produced from processing plastic waste using pyrolysis technology. She said the fuel has been used by a number of fishermen and farmers as an energy source to support their economic activities. “Fishermen buy this fuel from waste banks, while farmers’ tractors also utilise the liquid fuel from plastic pyrolysis to plough rice fields,” she explained. Tri asserted that energy access is a crucial factor in driving economic development in rural areas. Therefore, communities must be given the opportunity to meet their energy needs independently by harnessing the renewable energy potential available in their surrounding environment. “Energy and electricity are the backbone of economic development. Energy democratisation must be implemented so that communities have the space to meet their energy needs independently,” Tri concluded.