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Candidates Ganjar Pranowo (left), Prabowo Subianto and Anies Baswedan faced off for their first Indonesia presidential debate at the General Elections Commission office in Jakarta on Dec. 12. (Photo: Ganjar Pranowo)
Indonesia is set to hold its Presidential Election in February 2024. The General Election Commision (Komisi Pemilihan Umum, KPU) officially announced 3 pairs of presidential and vide-presidential candidates in November. The first debate took place on December 12, primarily focusing on corruption and human rights issues, while the second debate is scheduled for the 22nd, addressing topics related to economic development, infrastructure, and urban areas. It is expected that energy issues will also be inseparable. Reccessary has compiled statements from each candidate tried to piece together possible directions of renewable energy.
National Democratic Party (Partai Nasional Demokrat, NasDem)
- Presidential Candidate: Anies Baswedan, Current Governor of DKI Jakarta
- Vide-presidential: Muhaimin Iskandar, Current Deputy Speaker of the People’s Representative Council
Anies (left) and Muhaimin support the development of green energy industries. (Photo: Anies Baswedan)
In order to achieve energy self-sufficiency and energy security in Indonesia, Anies intends to regulate energy imports, prevent speculative activities, and collaborate with energy-producing countries to obtain affordable energy prices. He also aims to enhance energy and oil production capacity through advanced technologies, including the adoption of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) techniques.
They pledge to introduce the “Indonesia Towards Renewable Energy” plan, supporting the development of green energy industries, including biomass, geothermal, hydro, wind, hydrogen, and solar energy. They plan to provide more low-interest green financing to encourage larger participation, stimulate carbon trading and markets, improve infrastructure, reduce barriers to the use of electric public transportation, as well as establish a Resource Endowment Fund from planned carbon tax revenue to finance research in renewable energy. Additionally, in the realm of public education, they aim to raise environmental awareness and promote energy-efficient lifestyles.
Greater Indonesia Movement Party (Gerakan Indonesia Raya, Gerindra)
- Presidential Candidate: Prabowo Subianto, Current Indonesia Minister of Defense
- Vide-presidential: Gibran Rakabuming, Current Mayor of Surakarta
Prabowo and Gibran request the PLN to increase the proportion of renewable energy in the power supply. (Photo: Prabowo Subianto)
Prabowo and Gibran emphasize the need to accelerate achieving self-sufficiency in food, energy, and water, while also focusing on environmental impact. They aim to reduce the country’s dependency on fossil fuels and promote the development of bioenergy, such as palm-based biodiesel and aviation biofuels, as well as bioethanol derived from sugarcane and cassava. Currently, Indonesia’s biodiesel blending policy is maintained at 35% (B35), meaning that 35% of biodiesel must be blended into the diesel. They optimistically project that this biodiesel blending ration will reach 50% by 2029.
They will request the Indonesian State Company (PLN) to increase the proportion of renewable energy in the power supply. Furthermore, they will continue to promote the retirement of coal-fired power plants, revise renewable energy policies to drive new energy research, and propose the development of Indonesian Economic Special Zones focused on green and blue (ocean) economies.
Indoensiam Democratic Party (Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan, PDI-P)
- Presidential Candidate: Ganjar Pranowo, Current Governor of Central Java
- Vide-presidential: Mahfud MD, Current Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs
Ganjar (left) and Mahfud mention the development of a circular economy, providing people with opportunities to increase additional income. (Photo: Ganjar Pranowo)
Ganjar and Mahfud propose a “Green Economy” in their vision of national goals, considering it as a focal point for development. They estimate that Indonesia’s proportion of renewable energy will reach 30% by 2029, enabling each village to meet its energy needs using renewable sources.
In addition, they also introduce the “Waste to Cash” program to promote a circular economy, and to educate the public on waste management, including Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair, and Refabrication. The program also aims to offer opportunities for additional income through waste management initiatives.
