President Jokowi Orders for Green Energy Optimization in Nusantara Capital

President Joko Widodo leads the groundbreaking ceremony of PLN HUB in Nusantara Capital, North Penajam Paser regency, East Kalimantan province on Wednesday (06/05). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Rusman)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has called on all stakeholders to focus on green energy development.

The President made the statement at the groundbreaking ceremony of PLN Hub in Nusantara Capital, North Penajam Paser regency, East Kalimantan province on Wednesday (06/05).

“We want to transform the economy because the global economy changes without a clear direction or certainty. Everything changes and we must anticipate that,” he said.

The President pointed out that investors who want to invest in Indonesia constantly ask about the available green energy, adding that it is important that the country optimally develops and leverages green energy.

“We have great potential in green energy. For hydropower alone, we have 4,400 rivers. For instance, Kayon River can generate 11,000-13,000 megawatts and Mamberamo River can produce 23,000 megawatts. Those are the big rivers. We can utilize the medium and small ones for so many things,” he said.

The President underscored that investors are no longer interested in fossil energy that has been frequently used previously, adding that they are now considering green energy potential in various sources, including geothermal, hydropower, and wind power.

“All of them asked about green energy availability. No one asked about using coal-fired power plants. The questions are always about geothermal, hydropower, or wind power, and our country has those strengths. We must leverage them. I really appreciate the construction of PLN Hub that will gather all stakeholders and partners relevant to [state-owned electricity company] PT PLN,” he said.

On that occasion, the President stressed that Nusantara Capital will use entirely green energy. For that reason, he urged relevant stakeholders to optimize the utilization of green energy from various sources.

“We hope we will all change our mindset as Nusantara Capital must use 100 percent green energy, as I’ve stated before. It can be from solar panels that PT PLN currently works on, hydropower from perhaps Mahakam [River], wind, or other sources,” he remarked. (TGH/DNS) (DH/MUR)