Academic Praises Government's Performance In Energy Transition And Independence Efforts

JAKARTA - A number of academics in Surabaya assessed that the energy policy of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka's administration had been running on the right track towards national energy independence in the first year of leadership.

The Coordinator of the Indonesian Demonstrators Renewable Energy Integration Project (REIDI) from the Sepuluh November Institute of Technology (ITS), Ary Bachtiar Krishna Putra, said that the government's steps in expanding the use of new and renewable energy (EBT) were on the right track.

"It's time for Indonesia to no longer just talk, but take a real step towards energy independence. Programs such as REIDI show how universities, industries, and governments can work together in building an efficient and sustainable energy ecosystem," he said in a discussion 'Containing the One Year National Energy Independence Era Prabowo-Gibran from East Java in Surabaya, East Java, Wednesday, was confiscated by Antara.

Ary assessed that the government's commitment through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) in accelerating the green energy transition could strengthen Indonesia's position as an energy independent country in Southeast Asia.

"This energy independence is not only a matter of supply availability, but also about how we master technology and its systems. The government under Pak Prabowo and Pak Bahlil has moved in that direction," he added.

Meanwhile, Surabaya State University (Unesa) economist Hendry Cahyono assessed that the government's energy policy had a positive impact on fiscal resilience. He highlighted how the government dared to reorganize energy subsidies to make them more targeted.

"We have worked on it at the economic science study center, and the burden of our energy subsidies is four percent of GDP (gross domestic product). The problem is, this subsidy turns out to be 11 times bigger enjoyed by 20 percent of the rich compared to the poor. Now, this is what is now starting to be improved," said Hendry.

Hendry also assessed that President Prabowo's energy policy direction had been running on the correct rails, including the achievement of oil and gas lifting which had exceeded the target of the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN).

"Something that has been targeted and it has exceeded the target is certainly good. And I think it's already on the right track on the right track," he said.

He added that the policy of legalizing people's oil wells was the right step to support the achievement of the national lifting target.

On the other hand, Airlangga University (Unair) Public Policy Expert Falih Suaedi assessed that the government's move to place energy issues as a national priority as stated in Astacita is a strategic decision.

The current government is not only talking about energy supply, but also independence in managing it. That means, the state is leading to real energy resilience," said Falih.

According to Falih, President Prabowo and Vice President Gibran have succeeded in consolidating cross-sectoral policies, from ESDM, industry, to higher education, in one big vision, namely national energy independence under the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia.

In this one year, it is clear how the government is trying to build integration of energy policies from the center to the regions. This is not an easy thing, but the steps have been seen," he said.

Academics also agree that this achievement will become a strong foundation for the sustainability of national energy development in the following years.

The government emphasizes that the energy self-sufficiency agenda