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Mixed signals risk RI missing out on renewable energy exports
This is not the first time Bahlil has criticized the electricity export plan. He made a similar statement opposing the idea in 2022, when he was still the investment minister, leading to a inter-ministerial clash over the clean power export plan.
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Final tweaks: Technicians check panels on Sept. 29, 2023, at the Cirata floating solar photovoltaic plant, located at Cirata Reservoir in Purwakarta, West Java. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo inaugurated the floating solar power plant, the largest in Southeast Asia, on Nov. 9. (Antara/Raisan Al Farisi)
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ndonesia has again sent mixed signals on its plan to export renewable energy to Singapore after a new minister called for the reevaluation of the deal, but analysts warned that backing out would only open the door for other countries to benefit.
Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said that he sought to reevaluate the plan, citing a need to “prioritize national interests” and that the country should be very careful in its execution.
Bahlil made the statement on Sept. 25, over a month after he was appointed to the post by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Aug. 19.
“I can’t imagine that we have a comparative advantage in renewable energy, yet we give it to others when we still don’t have enough for ourselves. Other countries would build their industries and then send the CO2 [emissions] back to Indonesia. What do we want to become?” he said as quoted by Kontan.
“Don’t give our weapon to others, only to have them use it against us,” he emphasized.
This is not the first time Bahlil has criticized the electricity export plan. Previously, he made similar statement opposing the idea in 2022, when he was still the investment minister, leading to an inter-ministerial clash over the clean power export plan.
His statement came after Indonesia and Singapore have already progressed significantly to make the plan happen.
