Govt Involves Millenials in Renewables Development

MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES

REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

PRESS RELEASE

NUMBER: 289.Pers/04/SJI/2020

Date: 25 September 2020

Govt Involves Millenials in Renewables Development

Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (EMR) has opened the opportunity for millennials to be actively involved in developing new, renewable energy. The participation is expected to assist the government in reducing greenhouse gas emissions as well as increasing new, renewable energy mix and electrification ratio.

"We hope that event like this can engage creative young people in developing feasible models for new, renewable energy business," said Director of Energy Conservation, Hariyanto, on behalf of Director General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation at the virtual launch of Hackathon by New Energy Nexus on Thursday (24/9).

To accelerate the realization of these targets, continued Hariyanto, it is not enough to solely rely on the central and regional governments, especially in constructing off-grid renewables generators in remote areas. "Besides limited funding, continuity is another issue," he said.

Therefore, the government believes the private sector and State Utility Company PLN play a crucial role. Breakthroughs are needed because eco-friendly projects need high initial investment. "Involvement of regional and village enterprises as local companies is also important," said Hariyanto.

Hariyanto further expressed his hopes that young people play their part in disseminating information and knowledge about renewables through the social media, changing the culture or habits to energy-saving in their daily use of electronic equipment to support energy conservation programs, supporting the government in renewables development, and creating technologies for renewables utilization in the future.

According to Hariyanto, Indonesia has great potential for renewables. Energy sources that can be optimized include solar (207.8 Giga Watt or GW), hydro (75 GW), wind (60.6 GW), bioenergy (32.6 GW), geothermal (23.9 GW), and ocean thermal (17.9 GW).

On the same occasion, Chairman of METI (Indonesian Renewable Energy Society) Surya Darma underlined the importance of renewables as a new global culture of energy source. "The current global trend is about shifting fossil energy to renewable energy. This will change our attitudes, lifestyle, and management patterns," said Surya.

He said the use of renewables in the world will increase by up to 50% by 2025 and to 80% by 2050. "Not only is this a challenge, but also an opportunity because Indonesia has (sources of) renewables that are complete compared to other countries," Surya explained.

The New Energy Nexus Hackathon is the first Nexus hackathon to be held in Indonesia. Having the theme [RE]energize Indonesia, Nexus opens the opportunity for both individuals and teams to find renewables-based solutions to solving health and community productivity problems.

Online registration for the hackathon is open from 24 September 2020 to 10 October 2020. The ten teams selected will present their solutions on the Demo Day and get guidance from six experts to sharpen their innovations. Hackathon winners will get a total prize of Rp100 million and access to the Smart Energy Incubation and Acceleration program. (IY)

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