Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Inauguration of Strategic Electricity Projects in 18 Provinces, Jatigede Hydroelectric Power Plant, Sumedang Regency, West Java Province, Monday, January 20, 2025
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
Good morning,
May Peace be upon us,
Shalom,
Salve,
Om Swastiastu,
Namo Buddhaya,
Greetings of Virtue.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Distinguished Ministers of the Red and White Cabinet in attendance: Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia; Minister of State-owned Enterprises Erick Thohir; Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo; Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya; Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Yuliot Tanjung; President Director of state-owned electricity company PLN Darmawan Prasodjo;
Distinguished West Java Regional Leaders Communication Forum (Forkopimda) Officials, Governor, Commander of Kodam (Military Regional Command) III/Siliwangi, Chief of Regional Police, Head of High Prosecutor’s Office, and Regent of Sumedang;
Distinguished Governor-elect of West Java Dedi Mulyadi; Deputy Governor-elect of West Java Erwan Setiawan;
Distinguished community leaders, attendees, and our brothers and sisters from 18 provinces who are participating via the video conference across the country;
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, I am honored and proud to be present in Jatigede to inaugurate major projects in 18 provinces, 26 projects in total, if I am not mistaken, which produce 3.2 gigawatts of energy, also, a series of eleven follow-up projects for the construction of substations and transmission networks.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Perhaps what we are seeing is the inauguration of the world’s largest energy project, 3.2 gigawatts at once. That claim may need to be verified. Of course, this is the work of the entire Indonesian people, the hard work of the nation’s children across agencies and institutions, and the Government led by the 7th President, Mr. Joko Widodo. Since he led this nation for ten years, I think this is also part of his hard work, the hard work of the administration prior to my administration. Well, perhaps this is my destiny and good fortune. Today marks exactly three month since my inauguration three months ago, on October 20 Now, on January 20 [2025], I have the honor of inaugurating a cluster of projects as significant as this one.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We understand that energy is essential to sustaining our nation’s transformation. We aim to be an advanced, modern country. We aim to improve people’s welfare and eradicate poverty in Indonesia. To achieve this, we need to become an industrial country. We must become a developed country that masters technologies and can process its own natural resources into finished, industrial goods.
Therefore, energy is indispensable. We have abundant natural resources, and we now have the capability to carry out transformation. I believe Indonesia is now one of the leading countries in the world in the field of energy transformation into clean renewable energy, green energy that reduces carbon emissions. So many countries may be panicking, but we don’t need to. Let’s just lead and make it happen.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Indeed, we must become self-sufficient in energy, and we eye to achieve 100 percent energy self-sufficiency. I believe that in the near future, we will no longer import fuel. I am confident that within five years we will no longer import fuel.
Regarding food self-sufficiency, I am also optimistic as we are likely to achieve our four-year target long before the fourth year. I believe that. Based on a report I received from the Ministers overseeing food issues, we will be self-sufficient in food before the second year; we will not import food anymore. I think with our capabilities; Indonesia will also achieve energy self-sufficiency in the near future.
I would like to extend my gratitude and appreciation to all our friends at 26 sites. Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you. Through technology, I can greet you all across 26 sites in 18 provinces. This is truly amazing. Check it out; this might be the biggest energy project in the world. Is there any other country that inaugurates 37 projects totaling 3.2 gigawatts in 18 provinces in a single day?
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I still received a report of thousands of villages that do not have electricity. The report suggests that we need Rp48 trillion to provide electricity to those villages? How much is Rp48 trillion divided by five? Rp9 trillion? I think in five years we can accomplish that since a report from Minister of Finance regarding my directives on budget efficiency, has resulting in quite large savings which will help our nation’s transformation towards massive downstream industries, which will surprise the world. We will kick off dozens of large projects this year too, powered by the strength of the Indonesian nation.
I think that’s from me. I want to congratulate everyone, be it the working team, the construction company, the project manager, the engineers, or all employees, who have worked hard for years to achieve what we aspire to. The journey of a thousand kilometers is sure not easy, but thank God, in the end, we achieved what the founders of our nation aspired to. We have become a strong, modern country, and an industrial country.
Amidst enormous challenges, challenges of nature, and the great challenges of our nation and fierce competition, Indonesia continues to advance; step by step, we will achieve what we aspire to. I am optimistic we will achieve the target [of economic growth] of 8 percent and we will accelerate the process of downstream industrialization and we will achieve our goals.
This concludes my statement.
Once again, I congratulate all parties. The Indonesian people are proud of your work. On behalf of the country, the nation, and the people of Indonesia, I would like to thank you all for your hard work. Let this be an example, a pride that, as the children of the nation, if we remain united, work hard, honest, and sincere, we will be able to bring progress to the nation.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
May peace be upon us,
Shalom,
Salve,
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Om,
Namo Buddhaya,
Greetings of Virtue.
Independence!
I thank you.
And by saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, this morning, January 20, 2025, I, the President of the Republic of Indonesia, hereby inaugurate the Strategic Electricity Projects in 18 Provinces.
I thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
(GWH/RAS/EP)