In the coming decade, our energy composition should constitute 25 percent renewable energy."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Vice President M. Jusuf Kalla (JK) has urged to prioritize the development of geothermal energy as in future, renewable energy should account for 25 percent of the energy composition.
"In the coming decade, our energy composition should constitute 25 percent renewable energy," the vice president remarked while opening a convention and exhibition on geothermal energy here on Wednesday.
Kalla said Indonesias energy composition in future should comprise 50 percent fossil fuel, 25 percent renewable energy, and 25 percent gas.
Regarding renewable energy, Indonesias largest potential is geothermal whose only 1.5 megawatts (MW) has so far been utilized. Indonesias geothermal potential reaches 29 gigawatts. The government is targeting to utilize seven thousand megawatts by 2025.
"If in the coming 10 years, we are able to reach seven thousand MW, it means we still have some 70 percent that is ready to be exploited," Kalla remarked.
He said of the seven thousand MW, some 1.5 thousand MW is now available, which means every year, Indonesia is adding some 500 MW.
The vice president noted that Indonesia could not continue to depend on fossil energy as its reserves will deplete, and new ones are yet to be found.
Moreover, fossil energy sources, such as coal, produce gas emissions and pose dangers to the environment. Therefore, many countries are turning to the use of renewable energy.
"Switching to the use of renewable energy is a trend that has to be followed for leading a healthy life," Kalla stated.
In the meantime, Lintong Sopandi Hutahaean, head of the Centre for Research and Development of Green Industry and the Environment at the Industry Ministry, remarked last month that Indonesias industrial sectors had a major opportunity to utilize renewable energy in future.
"Industrial sectors have ample opportunities to use renewable energy in the future," Hutahaean remarked after accompanying then Industry Minister Saleh Husin to receive the Indonesian Renewable Energy Community in Jakarta on Monday.
Hutahaean stated that the countrys industrial sectors should start preparing themselves to utilize renewable energy, of which biomass is one form that has been in use.
In addition, the industrial sectors will have an opportunity to manufacture renewable energy supporting components.
Hutahaean pointed out that some domestic industries had been able to produce solar panels, transformers, and batteries.
Therefore, he emphasized that the Ministry of Industry will make every effort to attract investors to produce renewable energy supporting components.
"Now is the time for the industrial sectors to get ready. If the demand is high, the sector will attract investment," he added.
(Uu.A014/INE/KR-BSR)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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