Universities Ready to Support Energy Transition Acceleration

Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto gives a press statement to the media after a limited meeting with President Prabowo Subianto and a number of related ministers at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (03/05).

Universities in Indonesia are ready to support the acceleration of clean energy implementation and national energy transition through enhancing researches and and scientific study. Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto said so in his press statement after a limited meeting led by President Prabowo Subianto and attended by some related ministers at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (03/05).

According to the Minister, President Prabowo ordered the universities to actively participate in accelerating new and renewable energy development, especially in supporting solar cell and Solar Power Plant (PLTS) use.

“Researches and scientific studies conducted by the universities are requested to support the use of solar cell and PLTS, especially in order to replace expensive power plants, namely diesel power plants,” he said to the media.

He explained that universities will focus on research, policy study, and technology innovation that can speed up the implementation of energy transition program. In the implementation, the program coordination will be led by Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia.

In addition to renewable energy development, the Government also encourages to accelerate the conversion of oil-fueled vehicles to electric vehicles. This measure is deemed important to reduce the dependence on imported fossil fuels, the prices of which are greatly influenced by global dynamics.

“We know that fuel prices are high at the moment, so the impact is significant. So, the President asked relevant ministers to expedite the implementation of this policy so that our dependence on imports, our dependence on prices that can fluctuate rapidly, can be reduced,” he explained.

Furthermore, the Government is also encouraging the use of electric stoves as an alternative to LPG-based stoves. This policy is expected to reduce dependence on subsidized LPG while maintaining state budget stability.

“When LPG prices rise, we must reduce our dependence on subsidized LPG and electricity subsidies, in order to stabilize our state budget. Therefore, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology supports the results of studies and expedite studies and researches related to these three issues. This will be coordinated by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources,” he concluded. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (AW/MMB)