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ndonesian people are very concerned about the rapidly increasing threat of pollution, but still pay little attention to the need for reducing dependency on fossil fuel energy.

One survey shows that as many as 71 percent of Indonesian respondents said that air pollution was the most crucial current environmental problem, while 45 percent mentioned global warming and 40 percent were most concerned with water pollution.

With the enthusiastic help of foreign donors and private organizations, the government has launched massive efforts to promote an
environmentally-friendly life style to the nation, including on issues of preserving energy. But a recent survey shows disappointing results for the government’s campaign. Of 10 Indonesians, only one of ten is familiar with issues related to renewable energy.

The study, conducted by GE Energy Indonesia, reveals that without assistance, most of 350 Indonesian respondents failed to identify renewable energy sources such as solar, geothermal, wind and biomass. More surprisingly, one out of five respondents mistakenly mentioned oil-based fuels as renewable energy.

“Some respondents also identify coal, natural gas and nuclear as renewable energy sources. For respondents who can correctly identify sources of renewable energy, solar energy is the most popular source they know,” said company country executive Widhayawan Prawiraatmaja on Sunday

The survey shows that Indonesians had a lower level of understanding about renewable energy compared to Malaysians, Singaporeans and Vietnamese.

People in Vietnam, for example, have more knowledge of energy consumption compared to Indonesia. Only 25 percent of respondents here were able to identify solar as a form of renewable energy, while in Malaysia, the percentage reaches 59 percent, Singapore 55 percent and Vietnam 58 percent.

Most Indonesians also are not aware that wind is a form of renewable energy. Only 9 percent of the country’s respondents realize this, while in Malaysia, 53 percent, 49 percent in Singapore and 33 percent in Vietnam.

The survey also says that despite its significance for the country’s future energy supply, only one percent of Indonesian respondents can identify geothermal as a source of renewable energy.

However, when surveyors informed respondents all forms of renewable energy and their
benefits, nine out of 10 of the country’s respondents said that it was crucial for Indonesia to boost the utilization of those sources of energy to preserve the environment, Widhayawan said.

“That outcome shows that actually, Indonesians have high concern about the condition of the environment and are very supportive to all plans for preservation,” he said.

Indonesia is a country with abundant renewable energy resources. The country, which is home to hundreds of active and extinct volcanoes, is estimated to have geothermal potential of around 28,000 megawatts, or 40 percent of the world’s potential. Unfortunately, as of today, only 1,189 megawatts or 4 percent of the total potential has been utilized.

Indonesia’s hydro-power potential is also estimated to reach up to 70,000 megawatt.

Widhayawan said that increasing the utilization of renewable energy was crucial if the country wanted to preserve its non-renewable energy resources for future generations.

Besides renewable energy, GE Energy Indonesia also suggests that the country develop its coal-bed methane (CBM) reserves. The company estimates that the country’s CBM reserves are three times of its natural gas reserves.

“CBM isn’t only cheaper than diesel fuel [commonly used to generate electricity], it also has a cleaner combustion process. CBM will be useful to generate electricity in remote areas, as the reserves are mostly located there,” Widhayawan said.