Indonesia and Netherlands will expedite energy transition: minister

Jakarta, October 10 (ANTARA) - Indonesia has said it is optimistic that bilateral cooperation with the Netherlands would expedite the archipelagic nation's energy transition to increase energy resilience and combat climate change.

"So, we hope it will, of course, accelerate the program of our net-zero emissions target," said Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Arifin Tasrif, at the Renewable Energy and Climate Summit Indonesia-Netherlands, here on Monday.

Tasrif made the remarks in view of climate change, which is causing extreme weather throughout the world. Natural disasters are also becoming more frequent and coastal areas are experiencing land subsidence due to rising sea levels.

"Currently, most of the Asia region is also experiencing an increase in air temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius," Tasrif noted.

This situation underscores the need for rapid transformation of the energy system toward more environmentally friendly and sustainable energy use.

Hence, it is important to continue to improve cooperation with the Netherlands to realize the transition toward the use of renewable and sustainable energy, he said.

As part of an effort to script an energy transition and help tackle climate change, Indonesia has devised a road map for achieving net zero emissions by 2060 through the massive development of new and renewable energy, with a focus on solar, water, wind, and geothermal energy resources, said the minister.

He then emphasized the importance of prioritizing carbonization programs through several strategies such as developing renewable energy projects with a new procurement mechanism and more attractive tariffs.

Other important efforts have comprised introducing carbon trading and carbon exchange in the power generation sectors, preparing a road map for the early retirement of coal-fired power plants, and implementing the conversion of diesel fuel power plants into gas and renewable energy power plants.

In the meantime, implementing biomass coal firing at coal-fired power plants is also considered important, in addition to providing funding for geothermal drilling to reduce uncertainty in geothermal development.