But while politicians discuss how and when to subsidize prices for jittery consumers, some in the energy sector are seeing an opportunity for a new commitment to renewable energy.

And as the oil market continues its volatile ride -- members of OPEC agreed last week to reduce supplies to the world market -- the time is right, they argue, to fund alternative energy projects.

"This is the time to invest," said Erwin Susanto Sadirsan, executive director of the Indonesian Renewable Energy Society (METI). "I think the prospect for Indonesia is very good."

In 2006, Yudhoyono issued a decree calling for 17 percent of the country's energy needs to come from renewable energy sources by 2025. The current rate is between 4 and 5 percent, according to METI.

"This is a very big target for 2025," Erwin said. "But we will try to achieve it."

The latest global financial crisis could offer an added incentive for consumers and businesses to look at alternative energy as a more reliable and sustainable energy source, Erwin said. But obstacles persist.

"For a new technology like this we need an incentive from the government, a tax incentive," Erwin said. "The problem is how to draw in foreign direct investment."

He cited geothermal energy as an example. Indonesia has the world's richest reserves of geothermal power, estimated at up to 27,000 megawatts (MW), or about 40 percent of the world's geothermal reserves.

But because of the initial cost of harvesting the energy, investors have been slow to tap the resource.

Some observers argue that renewable energy should also be seen in the broader context of poverty and how the latest financial crisis could put pressure on the most vulnerable members of society.

"This is really a global issue," said Herliyani Suharta, a renewable energy researcher for the past three decades.

Often people are forced to use non-renewable sources such as gasoline or wood to meet their daily energy needs, because of poverty, she said.

"You can't ask them to not do that if you don't give them an alternative," said Herliyani, who also runs a project in Aceh promoting the use of solar-powered stoves, and is currently researching harvesting wind energy in East Nusa Tenggara.

But some economists view the push for alternative energies as a tough sell in the current financial climate.

"Now that the oil price is down, the incentives to move to alternative energy sources diminishes," said Arianto Patunru, research director at the University of Indonesia's Institute of Economic and Social Research.

"You can't invest in a big new plant when you are short of capital. And that, I'm afraid, includes investment in renewable energy."

Arianto said OPEC's recent decision to cut its production by 1.5 million barrels per day effective Nov. 1 could generate more interest in renewable energy, but warned it was still too early to tell.

To date, global leaders have struggled to keep alternative energy at the forefront of a global response to the financial crisis.

On the eve of the European Commission's economic summit earlier this month, EC chief Jose Manuel Barroso called on leaders to maintain their commitment in tackling climate change.

In 2007, the EU pledged to draw 20 percent of its energy from renewable sources, and to make another 20 percent in energy savings.

"Climate change does not disappear because of the financial crisis," Barroso said at the time. "Tackling climate change is central to Europe's future prosperity and to preserve the quality of life on our planet."

In Indonesia, climate change may provide a good reason to look toward renewable energy. With financial woes affecting food prices throughout Southeast Asia, Indonesia may be especially sensitive to changes in the climate.

A 2007 study by the U.S.-based National Academy of Sciences predicted a higher probability of delays in the rainy season, by up to 30 days. Such a delay could have devastating effects on the country's food supply, the report said.

Endro Utomo Notodisuryo, former director general for electricity and energy development, took part in the Kyoto Protocol deliberations of 1992. He said that in the late 1970s, Indonesia was seen as a regional leader in renewable energy research, but added the country had some missed opportunities over the past few decades.

"We would have had more progress if we were doing things in a more coordinated way," Endro said.

The latest financial crisis could also prove to be a new chance to move beyond mistakes made in the past.

"The problem is the oil price determines the growth of renewable energy," said METl's Erwin. "But if people also consider environmental factors when choosing renewable energy, the current financial crisis can be seen as an opportunity."

-- The writer is an intern at The Jakarta Post.

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