Bahlil Calls China And Europe 'Arrogant' About Green Energy, In The End Revert To Using Coal In Crisis

Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia (Photo: Instagram @bahlillahadalia)

JAKARTA - The energy crisis is hitting a number of countries in the world, both in Europe, China and India. The majority of countries hit by the energy crisis are experiencing an electricity crisis.

This is the result of soaring world natural gas prices and other factors in recent times. However, for Indonesia this is an opportunity to attract inward investment.

The Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia said the energy crisis caused electricity prices in these countries to be expensive. This will certainly have an impact on the increased cost of goods manufactured (HPP).

Furthermore, Bahlil said with Indonesia's oversupply position, the world energy crisis was an opportunity to invite investment into Indonesia.

"As a result, the product will have a higher cost to be marketed to the people. Now the strategy we are building is that we oversupply energy now. PLN data for Java-Bali we oversupply 2,300 MW. So this is our opportunity to ask companies in the country to immediately relocate to Indonesia," he said at a virtual press conference, Wednesday, October 27.

According to Bahlil, by relocating to Indonesia, the HPP of products that these countries produce can be reduced because the electricity price is not as high as in countries experiencing an energy crisis. So the production costs are lower and the products are more competitive.

Furthermore, Bahlil said that many countries feel arrogant about green energy. According to him, countries that previously banned the use of coal and fossil energy are now using them again because of the energy crisis.

"Our other friendly countries, which are far away sometimes feel pretentious about green energy. Even though they are now, countries that are said to be unable to use coal, cannot use fossil fuels, now they have an energy crisis and make more coal," he said.

Even so, Bahlil emphasized that Indonesia fully supports the concept of environmentally friendly energy or green energy. Moreover, the Indonesian government is committed to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 29 percent by 2030. In accordance with President Joko Widodo's (Jokowi) order in the Paris Agreement to anticipate climate change.

According to Bahlil, adopting a concept that is developing in the world is okay. However, he advised not to follow too closely to other countries.

"So we are actually allowed to follow world developments. But don't dance too much in people's drums. Why? We are a sovereign country but we also encourage the global concept of green energy. That's agreed," he said.