Indonesia and ASEAN are leading the way on clean energy solutions

Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Dadan Kusdiana, announced that Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries are collaborating to develop cleaner energy systems in the region. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to pursue energy transition and promote sustainable development.

“All ASEAN member countries have made commitments and set targets for renewable energy utilization,” said Kusdiana at the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) forum in Badung on Wednesday, May 15. “For instance, Indonesia aims to achieve 23% renewable energy in its national energy mix by 2025, similar to other ASEAN countries with their own EBT (new renewable energy) targets.”

Kusdiana highlighted the importance of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC), which serves as a framework for energy sector cooperation among ASEAN nations. “To meet APAEC goals, collaborative action is essential to optimize clean energy potential, supply regional needs, and enhance energy security,” he explained.

One notable APAEC initiative is the ASEAN Power Grid, which aims to connect the region’s electricity networks. “Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore have already engaged in multilateral electricity trade. In 2023, Indonesia initiated an electricity interconnection project involving Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines,” Kusdiana elaborated.

Additionally, the Trans ASEAN Gas Pipeline is designed to reduce reliance on external energy imports and bolster regional energy security.

The CEM forum, established in 2010 following the UNFCCC COP-15 in Denmark, is an annual event focused on advancing clean energy policies and technologies. It provides a platform for sharing knowledge and best practices to promote a global transition to a clean energy economy.

With these initiatives, Indonesia and ASEAN countries are paving the way for a sustainable energy future, emphasizing regional cooperation and innovation in clean energy solutions.