Debrinata Rizky, Erlangga Djumena, Jakarta – Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Advisory Board Chairperson Hashim Djojohadikusumo has emphasised that the Indonesian government's stance is that it will not phase out or completely stop the use of fossil fuels, including coal.
Djojohadikusumo, who is President Prabowo Subianto's brother and Special Envoy for Climate and Energy, stated that many international parties are pressuring Indonesia to stop using fossil fuels, but the government has chosen a different approach.
"What's important is that our government is firm that there will be no phase-out of our fossil fuels. Indonesia's economic use, especially industry and electricity, will continue to rely on fossil fuels, namely coal, natural gas and others", said Djojohadikusumo said at a Kadin national leadership meeting in Central Jakarta on Tuesday December 2.
Despite this, the government remains committed to accelerating the increase in the share of new and renewable energy in national electricity capacity development. Djojohadikusumo stated that 76 percent of the electricity generation planned for the next 15 years will come from new and renewable energy.
"There will be no phase-out, no elimination, but rather a phase-down. This is crucial, because our government is under pressure, and I am also under pressure, to commit to phasing out fossil fuels. We reject this, we remain committed, but it's called a phase-down", said Djojohadikusumo.
He added that although Indonesia still relies on coal and gas, the direction of the energy transition is clear, moving towards increasing renewable energy capacity, including nuclear energy.
Djojohadikusumo stated that the government has established a plan to use 500 megawatts of nuclear power, which will be increased to 6.5 gigawatts in the long term.
He also touched on economic opportunities for mining businesses as nuclear energy plans develop. He stated that Indonesia's demand for uranium will increase, making exploration of this mineral a new opportunity for businesses.
"This is an opportunity for those in the business world, including Kadin members in the mining sector. If there's an opportunity to acquire or locate uranium mines, please seek them out because Indonesia needs uranium" he said.
According to Djojohadikusumo,, future global trends make nuclear energy inevitable. "We see that in the future, it will be impossible; electricity will be impossible without nuclear power", he added.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Hashim Djojohadikusumo Tegaskan Indonesia Tak Akan Hapus Penggunaan Energi Fosil".]
