The use of fossil-based energy should be reduced and replaced by renewable energy, President Joko Widodo said on Wednesday, August 19.
The President said Indonesia has large geothermal potential, and 40 percent of the world’s geothermal potential is available in Indonesia, he said in a statement.
Geothermal energy sources is dispersed in Sumatra, Java, Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, and Papua. Currently, the magnitude of geothermal reserves are not fully utilized and Indonesia still relies on fossil energy sources.
“I want us to get out of the dependence on fossil energy, with concrete steps in utilizing geothermal reserves,” the President said in his speech at the opening of the Renewable Energy (EBT) and Geothermal Exhibition and Convention, on Wednesday in Jakarta.
According to the President, the use of fossil energy is still very large, at 95 percent of the national energy mix; 47 percent from oil, 24 percent comes from natural gas, and 24 percent from coal. While the utilization of renewable energy (EBT) is only about 5 percent.
To be a nation sovereign in the energy sector, Indonesia can not just depend on fossil fuels alone. In fact, this time Indonesia has become a net importer of petroleum, when fossil energy in time will run out.
The President also expressed his commitment to transform and give special attention to the development program of new renewable energy sources, in order to break away from the dependence on fossil energy sources and utilizing the abundant natural resources in a sustainable manner.
Renewable energy sources include biofuel, biomass, geothermal, hydro, wind, solar, wave energy and tide. Tempo