Indonesia has the 15th largest economy in the world, but it is also one of the most vulnerable to climate change. It has experienced devastating natural disasters, such as the 2004 tsunami that caused around 200,000 deaths, and frequent forest fires. To help combat these issues, Indonesia’s government has announced plans to generate 23% of its energy from renewable sources by 2025.
To reach this goal, they plan on investing heavily in solar power plants. But will this be enough? Here are some ways Indonesia’s energy transition can help them progress to a sustainable future.
The Current State Of Indonesia’s Energy
Indonesia currently has the tenth highest emissions in the world. The country is very dependent on coal to power its economy, which has caused it to emit more carbon dioxide than other neighboring countries.
The Indonesian government has enacted a plan to increase their use of renewable energy sources, which will help it reduce its carbon emissions. The country has also invested in technology to improve their energy efficiency. But these two changes alone won’t be enough.
There are three main factors that will impact what will happen to Indonesia’s energy transition in the future. The first is Indonesia’s population (it is the fourth most populous country in the world). The second is the amount of investment they put into their renewable energy sources. And lastly, Indonesia’s commitment to renewable energy sources.
If Indonesia’s population continues to grow, they will need to put more money into renewable technology so they can produce enough energy for everyone. They need to be committed to sustainable development for this plan to work.
If they don’t invest heavily in renewable technology, they will not be able to reach their goal of 23% in renewable energy by 2025. But if they do invest heavily in renewable technology, they will likely reach their goal.
Indonesia’s Renewable Energy Goals
Indonesia doesn’t currently generate enough renewable energy to make up for fossil fuels. Because of this, they continue to rely on coal as their primary means of energy.
The ambitions goal to generate 23% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025 would require Indonesia to increase its total amount of solar and wind energy tenfold.
But, is this goal achievable? Indonesia’s renewable energy goals could be reached by allowing the private sector to invest in renewables and by making it easier for citizens to install their own solar panels.
For example, the turning point came in April 2016 when Jakarta announced that residents were allowed to install their own solar panels on their rooftop. This has helped to increase Indonesia’s overall renewable energy production because more people are able to produce their own energy.
More recently, the country began constructing a 145 megawatt (MW) floating solar power plant which will be the largest in Southeast Asia. The plant which is based in West Java, secured financing from state utility company Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) and Masdar of United Arab Emirates.
Bio-mass in Indonesia
Bio-mass is a major fuel source in Indonesia, accounting for about 40% of total primary energy supply. Recent years have seen a significant increase in bio-mass exploitation and production, which has led to many environmental and social problems.
Furthermore, Indonesia is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of palm oil, and the environmental and social impacts of the palm oil industry in Indonesia are well documented. Demand for palm oil in Indonesia has been growing since 2000, and the country is now the world’s largest producer.
The government has taken measures to protect forests and reduce environmental pollution, such as issuing a ban on the clearing of primary forest and peatland in 2014.
However, the potential of biomass energy is vast in Indonesia. To read more about how Indonesia can benefit from its biomass usage, you can click this link!
Geothermal in Indonesia
Geothermal is a clean and abundant type of energy that can power many regions in Indonesia, including Jakarta. It is reliable and has a low environmental impact, making it a favorable option.
Geothermal energy is generated by the heat of the Earth’s core, which is constantly heated by radioactive decay. This heat can be tapped for power generation. Indonesia has about 15,000 megawatts of geothermal capacity, and plans to increase that to 35,000 megawatts by 2025.
Geothermal power plants require an underground reservoir that is hot and under pressure. Indonesia has many locations that fit these requirements, such as Kawah Ijen, which has one of the world’s largest acid lakes and supports a substantial amount of power generation.
Indonesia’s energy transition to more renewables is an important step for sustainable development. Geothermal energy can provide a steady and reliable source of energy for many regions in Indonesia while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
To read more about the potential of Geothermal energy in Indonesia, you can click this link!
Conclusion
Aside from the difficulties of attracting enough investment to reach their goal, Indonesia will need to find ways to work with local communities to make sure that their energy transition is effective.
For example, some communities may rely heavily on renewable resources like water and firewood for cooking and heating. The government needs to come up with a way to provide these resources while still achieving their goal of transitioning to renewable energy sources.
If Indonesia can find ways to work with their local communities while also investing in renewable resources, they will be on the right track. By working together, Indonesia’s government might be able to make the necessary changes needed for sustainable development.
