Indonesia And Norway Increase Cooperation In The Renewable Energy Sector

KADIN's business visit in Norway. (photo: Doc. kemlu)

Indonesia and Norway have undergone four days of business visits aimed at exploring the potential for cooperation in the renewable energy sector. This visit aims to accelerate Norwegian investment of 250 million US dollars (Rp4.1 trillion) in Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) to support Indonesia's decarbonization. Norway is one of the countries committed to funding JETP Indonesia, which was announced at the G20 meeting in Bali in November 2022.

This business visit is the result of a collaboration between the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Oslo (KBRI Oslo), the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), Innovation Norway, and the Indonesia Norway Society (INS). The Indonesian Ambassador to Norway, Teuku Faizasyah, explained that this visit was Indonesia's initiative to attract investment from Norway in the development of renewable energy in Indonesia. The main goal is to strengthen relations between the two countries.

During this visit, Indonesian companies met with Norwegian companies engaged in renewable energy, such as Tinfos, Release by SC, Fred Olsen Renewables, Norconsult, and Ocean Sun, to discuss the potential for renewable energy projects in Indonesia. This meeting will be followed by a visit from Norwegian companies to Indonesia to conduct a feasibility study.

In addition to business meetings, the Indonesian delegation also met with Norwegian institutions such as NORAD and NORWEP to explore various forms of cooperation, including increasing the capacity of human resources in the renewable energy sector. The delegation also held a meeting with NORFUND, the Norwegian government agency that distributed funds to JETP Indonesia, to discuss investment plans in Indonesia's renewable energy sector.

This visit also provided an opportunity for delegates to review waste management facilities into energy in Waldrud, Oslo, which has successfully implemented the circular economic concept. In addition, the Sumedang Regional Government met with the Oslo City Government Climate Department to discuss urban planning and regional development that focuses on the environment and social welfare.

Cooperation in the field of renewable energy is one of the main pillars in relations between Indonesia and Norway. The two countries have formed the Bilateral Energy Consultation Forum (FKBE) as a forum for discussions to combine Norwegian technology and experiences with Indonesia's potential in the renewable energy sector.

The 9th FKBE of Indonesia and Norway was held in June 2022 in Oslo and is led by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) of Indonesia, Arifin Tasrif, as well as the Minister of Oil and Energy Norway, Terje Asland