Indonesia is stepping up its energy transition with new solar power initiatives, updated regulations to attract investment, and a push for greater energy efficiency, according to Eniya Listiani Dewi, Director General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBTKE) at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM).
Speaking at Mentari Day in Jakarta on July 3, Eniya said, “The Ministry is fully committed to achieving universal electricity access and fostering massive adoption of renewable energy technologies, especially solar.” She highlighted the country’s new rooftop solar quota for 2025, launched just days earlier, and noted that public enthusiasm has been “overwhelming.”
“We are reviewing whether the 2025 rooftop solar quota can be increased due to the high demand,” she added. “This is part of our broader ambition to reach 100 percent electricity access across Indonesia, which President Prabowo Subianto has emphasized as a top priority for the cabinet.”
Eniya also underscored the impact of recent policy reforms, particularly Ministerial Regulation No. 11, which she said has “significantly opened the door” to both domestic and foreign investors by expanding the definition of local content. “We no longer define local contribution narrowly. Now, we include engineering, construction, and services − not just physical components,” she said. “This has removed investment bottlenecks.”
She noted that Indonesia is working closely with partners, including the Mentari Program team, to simplify solar licensing and expand solar deployment across various formats—rooftop, ground-mounted, and floating solar systems. “We’re working closely with the Mentari team to simplify solar licensing and accelerate deployment,” she said.
Looking at broader transition strategies, Eniya said there is “no single solution” to the energy challenge. “We are implementing a multi-pathway approach including co-firing biomass, repurposing fossil fuel assets, and early retirement of coal-fired power plants,” she said. She also noted that hydrogen, ammonia, and nuclear energy are included in Indonesia’s long-term energy planning.
Energy efficiency is also a major focus, with Eniya calling it “one of the most overlooked but powerful tools” in the transition. Referring to Ministerial Regulations No. 8 and No. 3, she said, “By simply saving energy, we can cut emissions dramatically. While renewables reduce emissions by 52 percent, efficiency alone can achieve 37 percent − and it costs far less.”
Reflecting on the UK-Indonesia Mentari Program’s achievements, Eniya praised the partnership, saying, “The UK’s support, through UK PACT and Mentari, has been instrumental in accelerating our clean energy goals.” She added, “From rooftop solar to off-grid access and regulatory design, we’ve made tangible progress.”
In closing, she emphasized, “This is not just policy − it’s a movement. And I believe Indonesia is ready to lead.”
