During the event, National Energy Council member for the 2026–2030 period, Dr. Ir. Satya Widya Yudha, M.Sc., Ph.D., presented Indonesia’s national energy policy direction, which refers to Government Regulation No. 40 of 2025 as the foundation for achieving national energy resilience and independence.

He explained that Indonesia’s oil and gas subsector continues to face several challenges, including limited energy reserves, declining oil production and refinery capacity, high dependence on oil and gas imports, and energy price disparities that affect subsidy spending and the national economy.

To address these challenges, the government has prepared various strategies to strengthen energy resilience and achieve national energy independence. One of the main focuses is improving the capacity and reliability of energy infrastructure through refinery production efficiency using modern and environmentally friendly technologies.

In addition, the government is accelerating LPG substitution through the development of household gas networks (jargas), transforming subsidy policies based on beneficiary targeting through the National Socioeconomic Single Data (DTSEN), and promoting energy diversification through the use of electric stoves and the development of dimethyl ether (DME) as an alternative to LPG.

Efforts to strengthen energy resilience are also being carried out through the gradual reduction of energy price disparities, strengthening national energy reserves, and developing renewable energy through stronger regulations, cross-sector coordination, and increased investment, including support for the B50 program and renewable power plant development. These strategies are expected to help Indonesia achieve energy self-sufficiency.

Dr. Satya also explained that Indonesia has prepared anticipatory measures to address geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East that could potentially affect national energy stability. These measures include limiting energy consumption, promoting energy conservation, restricting exports, and declaring an energy emergency if necessary. Such steps are expected to help maintain national energy supply stability amid global uncertainty.

Meanwhile, Dean of FTI ITB, Prof. Ir. Tirto Prakoso, S.T., M.Eng., Ph.D., stated that around 50% of Indonesia’s energy demand still depends on imports, both in the form of crude energy and ready-to-use energy. Nevertheless, Indonesia has developed biofuels, particularly palm oil-based biodiesel, and utilized coal reserves to meet national electricity demand.

“Indonesia is affected by rising fuel prices, but I believe the impact will not be as severe as in countries whose energy supply fully depends on energy imports,” said Prof. Tirto.

He also reaffirmed ITB’s commitment to contributing to energy transition and diversification efforts, particularly through various research initiatives and innovations within FTI ITB. For example, ITB’s Chemical Engineering program has been developing technologies to process renewable raw materials such as palm oil into biodiesel. In addition, ITB Chemical Engineering is also involved in developing the Katalis Merah Putih, including hydrotreating catalysts and oleochemical catalysts for Pertamina and Indonesia’s oleochemical industry.

Contributions to renewable energy development are also being made by other study programs at ITB, such as Engineering Physics through solar photovoltaic (PV) development and Industrial Engineering through economic value optimization at the industrial scale.

“Human resources are already adequate and prepared to develop renewable energy in Indonesia. However, the challenge lies in implementation, particularly regarding energy prices in the market,” explained Prof. Tirto.

Despite the impact of global geopolitical dynamics on the national energy sector, Indonesia is considered to have significant potential to achieve energy resilience. The country’s abundant renewable energy resources, combined with competent human resources, are expected to strengthen collaboration among the government, academia, and industry in supporting regulatory implementation and innovation toward national energy resilience.

Reporter: Azka Zahara Firdausa (Rekayasa Hayati 2022)