Istana: Dewan Energi Nasional Dibentuk Demi Kejar Swasembada Energi

Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi gives information to journalists (ANTARA/Genta Tenri Mawangi)

JAKARTA - The Minister of State Secretary (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi stated that the establishment of the National Energy Council (DEN) aims to accelerate the achievement of national energy self-sufficiency, including supporting the acceleration of electricity and energy transition programs.

Prasetyo explained that technically, DEN will strengthen the program towards energy self-sufficiency which has been initiated by related ministries and agencies.

"Hopefully, with the inauguration of the National Energy Council today, it will accelerate the preparation processes for us to pursue several priority programs," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, January 28.

He admitted that managing the energy sector was not an easy challenge. The government must face various problems, ranging from efforts to increase oil lifting, the development of new and renewable energy, to the transition to alternative energy sources.

According to Prasetyo, Indonesia has great potential in the development of solar energy considering its geographical location in the equatorial region. This potential is one of the focuses in formulating future energy policies.

"How do we think about renewable energy, how do we then also think about switching to other energy sources," he said.

Regarding DEN's work target, Prasetyo stated that the President had set a special target in the short term, one of the main priorities was increasing the national oil lifting to strengthen domestic energy resilience.

In addition, the government is also encouraging a change in energy consumption patterns towards alternative energy sources such as biofuels and biofuels.

Prasetyo said that this program was considered strategic because the energy sector requires a long time to balance between national energy needs and domestic production capabilities.

"That is what we want to be accelerated by immediately inaugurating this National Energy Council," concluded Prasetyo.