Japan Hopes Kayan Water Power Plant In Kaltara Supports Asia's Zero Clean Emission Initiative

JAKARTA - Japanese Foreign Minister Yamada Kenji expressed his hope that the Kayan River Hydroelectric Power Plant (PLTA) in North Kalimantan, which is being developed by the Indonesian government, will help achieve the Asia Net Zero Emission Community (AZEC) initiative.

In a bilateral meeting between Minister Yamada and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Airlangga Hartarto in Detroit, United States, in the context of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), Minister Yamada stated that the Japanese government would support the development of the Kayan hydro Energy and Sumitomo Corporation.

"We hope that the project can support the Asian Zero Emission Community (AZEC)," said Minister Yamada during a bilateral meeting with the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia Airlangga Hartarto on the sidelines of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) in Detroit, USA, as stated in Jakarta, Saturday, May 27.

Coordinating Minister Airlangga appreciated the cooperation that had been established and hoped that the implementation of the Kayan hydropower plant could be carried out soon. In October 2022, Coordinating Minister Airlangga was present and witnessed the signing of a collaboration between PT Kayan Hydro Energy and Sumitomo Corporation in the Kayan Cascade hydropower project.

This project is a real step for Indonesia to achieve the Netto Zero Emission target by 2060 or even sooner, in accordance with President Joko Widodo's direction.

"It is hoped that Japanese companies can participate in Indonesia's energy transition program," said Airlangga.

Coordinating Minister Airlangga also hopes that Japan can participate in Indonesia's electric vehicle program as part of the national energy transition policy. He expressed his hope that Japanese companies could play a role in Indonesia's energy transition program.

In addition to involvement in the AZEC, Japan is also involved in the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) program as part of Indonesia's energy transition efforts. It is hoped that the partnership between Indonesia and Japan at this time, and in the future, can support the acceleration of Indonesia's Zero Netto Emission target by 2060 and accelerate the economic recovery of the two countries.

Coordinating Minister Airlangga also hopes for Japan's support in organizing the ASEAN Summit in Indonesia throughout 2023.

During the meeting, the two ministers also discussed the role of IPEF in the future in supporting more open and comprehensive trade. IPEF member countries are finalizing one of the pillars in the IPEF, namely Value Chain Supply, which is expected to help diversify the availability of raw materials in the critical sector and strengthen coordination in supply chains.

The year 2023 has historical meaning for the relationship between Indonesia-Japan and ASEAN-Japan, with the commemoration of 65 years of Indonesia-Japan relations and the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan relations. This year is also important for both countries, where Indonesia is the Chair of ASEAN while Japan is the host of the G7 Summit.