Sri Mulyani: Indonesia An Archipelago Country With High Economic Growth, Energy Independence Is Important!

Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati said Indonesia needs to create energy independence through energy reform in order to survive in the midst of various challenges of the global economy going forward. According to him, independence is important considering that currently the energy supply chain in Europe is being disrupted because it depends on supplies from Russia that are in conflict with Ukraine. "Situasi seperti ini seharusnya membuat Indonesia sebagai negara pulau dengan pertumbuhan ekonomi yang mulai tinggi berpikir bagaimana menciptakan kemandirian energi di Indonesia. Reformasi energi juga menjadi sangat penting," katanya dalam Leaders Talk Pusdiklat PLN, dikutip dari Antara, Kamis 27 Oktober. Therefore, he continued, the government plans to implement a policy so that people switch from gas stoves to electric stoves to overcome the increase in demand for oil and gas, as well as absorb PLN's electricity production. In addition, Indonesia is also expected to develop the potential for the use of new and renewable energy (EBT) with smaller carbon dioxide emissions. "Indonesia has enormous potential for new and renewable energy. We need to formulate policies and regulations so that energy sources can reflect the power of potential energy in Indonesia," he said. He also hopes that PLN can continue to improve electricity subsidies by using information technology-based innovations to make them more targeted. Meanwhile, people who do not receive subsidies are expected to still be able to enjoy electricity at low prices so that economic activity can run smoothly. "This will depend on PLN's electricity production costs. If their production is efficient, the people can get cheap electricity, this is a great service to the Indonesian national economy," he said.