Not Just Talking About People in Jakarta

In Indonesia, discussions about the energy transition are still an exclusive topic. Only certain groups, such as civil society organizations, academics, business entities and government.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Bukan Hanya Perbincangan Orang-orang Jakarta

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

The Suralaya Steam Power Plant in Merak, Cilegon, Banten, was sued by PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (Persero) or PLN to the Central Information Commission to disclose emission data resulting from the operation of the Suralaya Steam Power Plant in Cilegon, Banten, and the Ombilin Steam Power Plant in Padang, West Sumatra, to the public on Monday (28/8/2023). Please note that the words PLTU and Banten are forbidden words in this translation and must be kept as is.

On 8-11 August 2023, Kompas Research and Development held an opinion poll regarding energy transition in Indonesia. When asked whether respondents were aware that the Indonesian Government was intensively carrying out energy transition activities from fossil to renewable energy, 65.7 percent answered that they did not know. However, when asked whether respondents knew about the issue of global warming which causes climate change, 52.8 percent answered that they knew and the rest did not know.

In Indonesia, discussions about energy transition are still an exclusive topic. Only certain groups such as civil society organizations, academia, businesses, and the government discuss it. However, the impact and process of energy transition require the involvement of all parties, the entire Indonesian community without exception.

One of the criticisms as to why discussions about energy transition are limited to big cities is due to the campaign narrative itself. The narrative about the causes of global warming or the depiction of the impact of global warming on the weather still feels less grounded. Most are abstract and difficult for the average person to understand.

Also read: Energy Transition Don't Just Borrow Fair Jargon

What is the use of an invitation if the message conveyed cannot be understood, rather than applied? Not a few scientific or foreign terms that are not necessarily understood by lay people are used in the narrative. What is climate change, global warming, including in foreign terms, global warming, climate change, or national determined contribution? These terms are often used by civil society organizations, business entities, and even the government.

The mass media, including media agencies like ours, often use narratives that are difficult for readers to understand. However, the mass media plays a strategic role in the energy transition campaign. The same goes for the utilization of social media. In fact, there are almost no strict language boundaries on social media. Is that an effective way to educate the public about the importance of energy transition? Understandably not, so how can we implement the action of energy transition?

The issues were also discussed in a virtual discussion held on Thursday (27/7/2023). The discussion, organized by the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), was titled: How Indonesia Can Achieve the 23 Percent Renewable Energy Mix Target? Yes, in the discussion, it was discussed that the energy transition narrative is important and cannot be considered trivial.

Climate change as a result of global warming is not the responsibility of a big city or even a nation. It is the responsibility of all inhabitants of Earth.

Climate change caused by global warming is not the responsibility of just a big city or even a country. It is the responsibility of all the inhabitants of the Earth. For example, converting a forest into palm oil or agricultural land not only affects the area of the forest, but also has a global impact. The melting of ice in the polar regions also affects the livelihoods of many people living around the equator or the equator line.

Also read: Learning about Fossil Energy in the Energy Transition

Looking back, the call for energy transition has already emerged in 1981, at least according to Kompas archives. In the July 27, 1981 edition, Minister of Mining and Energy, Soebroto stated that the world was in the midst of transitioning from reliance on petroleum to sustainable energy sources. Quoting experts, Soebroto mentioned that the transition period would last until 2030.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI (RAD)

An electric Transjakarta bus passed through Kyai Maja Street in South Jakarta on Wednesday (6/9/2023). The use of electric buses as public transportation is not only to reduce congestion, but also an effort to reduce air pollution and CO2 emissions from vehicle exhaust.

What about now? Indonesia is still in a transitional phase and heavily reliant on fossil energy, particularly coal, oil, and natural gas. By 2025, the target for new and renewable energy mix is set at 23% in the national energy mix. As of the end of 2022, the achievement is still at 12.3%.

The importance of energy transition is also linked (once again) to air pollution in the Jakarta region and its surroundings. The transportation and power generation sectors are accused of being the main culprits of the dirty air that causes respiratory problems among citizens. Calls for the cessation of steam power plant (PLTU) operations and the use of electric vehicles have been raised.

The energy transition is not a trivial matter and requires a strong, visionary and decisive leader.

However, the narrative that shutting down the PLTU is not a quick and appropriate solution needs to be echoed. Imagine if the PLTU is turned off, Indonesia will definitely experience complete darkness because 65 percent of the primary energy sources for electricity generation in Indonesia come from the PLTU. Similarly, the use of electric vehicles. Instead of providing safe and environmentally friendly public transportation, the government is busy providing subsidies for the purchase of private electric vehicles.

In the end, a clever narrative alone is not enough. Firm regulations are needed, along with examples set by leaders of the nation and full support from the private sector. In terms of setting an example, it is difficult to encourage the public to use environmentally friendly vehicles when officials are always escorted by many motorcycles or cars on their journeys.

Another crucial matter is leadership. The energy transition, which is not a trivial matter, requires a strong, visionary, and firm leader. This is because the program also affects the livelihood of many people, including the poor, the well-off, large companies, and the general public. Without strong leadership, the energy transition will only be a mere dream and talk.

Also read:

• Even though it is slow, Indonesia is able to carry out the energy transition according to target
• Challenges of Financing the Energy Transition