PUSHEP: Hydrogen fuel adoption requires ecosystem readiness
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Bisman Bhaktiar, Executive Director of the Centre for Energy and Mining Law Studies (PUSHEP), has said that the adoption of hydrogen-based fuel in public vehicles, especially buses, must be accompanied by the development of its ecosystem.
“A first step could be to begin with pilot projects and draw up a medium-term roadmap, implement it in stages and conduct regular evaluations,” Bisman said in Jakarta on Friday.
According to him, if the government wishes to apply hydrogen as a fuel for buses, particularly TransJakarta, the ecosystem must first be built.
He said this is important so that the idea does not remain mere discourse; building the hydrogen ecosystem includes refuelling infrastructure as well as preparing regulations and policies, including providing incentives.
“If this can be done, then hydrogen will not merely be a talking point but can become a reality,” he said.
He added that hydrogen generally has the advantage of being a low-emission fuel that is also highly efficient.
Moreover, he said, Indonesia has great potential for hydrogen development, but its infrastructure remains limited and this needs the government’s attention.
“It is suitable for public transport and more practical. So that it does not remain just an idea, the government should build the hydrogen ecosystem in stages,” he added.
Previously, the President Director of PT PLN (Persero), Darmawan Prasodjo, asked Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia to communicate with the Governor of Jakarta, Pramono Anung, regarding the use of hydrogen as a fuel for TransJakarta buses.
Hydrogen Refueling Stations (HRS), he continued, are already available and ready for use in Jakarta. However, Darmawan said no bus fleet currently uses hydrogen fuel.
“Perhaps you (Bahlil) could lobby the Jakarta Governor, that’s right. TransJakarta,” Darmawan said.
He also revealed that he had held discussions with vehicle manufacturers from Japan, Germany and China regarding the availability of hydrogen buses.
Should the government utilise hydrogen as a fuel for the transport sector, such as TransJakarta, Darmawan said PLN would collaborate with Pertamina in providing bus fleets that run on hydrogen.
“Later Pertamina and PLN will together provide the buses. The hydrogen buses would then carry the logos of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, PLN and Pertamina. We are collaborating to build hydrogen-based transport,” Darmawan said.