Arcandra: Renewable Energy InshaAllah Never End If Used

INDUSTRY.co.id - Agam - The government has set an EBT blend target of 23% through the National Energy Policy (KEN). This is because Indonesia is not a country rich in natural resources of oil and gas.

Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arcandra Tahar explained, based on EMR Ministry data recapitulation, Indonesia only has proven reserves for petroleum of about 3.2 to 3.3 billion barrels.

"Compared with world oil reserves, we are only 0.2 percent," said Arcandra during the inauguration of EBT Power Plant in West Sumatra in Agam, Thursday (5/24/2018). Meanwhile, gas reserves are 1.5% of the world's total reserves.

Looking at the data, it is not wrong if Indonesia's decision to temporarily revoke the membership of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). This decision was taken during the 171st OPEC meeting in Vienna, Austria in 2016.

Of course, the transition of energy sources EBT is believed Vice Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arcandra Tahar as a precise solution to answer today's global challenges.

"If our oil reserves are just a little bit, what's our mainstay after this? It's called Renewable Energy." Hopefully, it will not run out, "said Arcandra.

Arcandra recognizes the potential of EBT energy resources in Indonesia is quite large developed. Geothermal for example, Indonesia has a potential of about 11 giga watts (GW). Meanwhile, the potential of water can reach about 75 GW.

Met separately, IESR's Program Manager for Sustainable Energy Partnership, Marlistya Citraningrum assessed that Indonesia should already switch to EBT.

"One of the economic risks if we do not prioritize renewable now and choose large scale fossil generator is a stranded assets," said Citra in Jakarta, Monday (05/21/2010).

This risk is very likely to arise because the development of EBT technology will be faster so as to reduce the cost of generation of electricity from renewable energy becomes much cheaper.

"EBT technologies such as solar rooftop and battery (storage) also have the opportunity to become disruptive technology for fossil generators," said Citra.

Citra revealed, with the operational age of fossil plants such as 30 years of steam power plant, this risk will be a loss in the future.

"In addition to the risk of stranded assets, it also deals with the government's commitment to reduce GHG emissions that require a reduction in fossil energy use in the national energy mix," he concluded.