ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – The future of clean energy in Asia is of great concern to the United States. Therefore, global collaboration is needed to reduce carbon emissions through the development of clean energy.
To realize this ideal, the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR), a United States non-profit research institution, in collaboration with the Indonesian Institute for Energy Economics (IIEE), an Indonesian non-profit organization, held the Clean EDGE Asia Conference on 30- January 31, 2024.
This prestigious forum was held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Jakarta, with the theme “Energy Transitions and Equitable Development in Southeast Asia.”
NBR, as a leading research institution in the United States, specifically focuses its attention on changes in the strategic environment in Asia. The goal is to help decision makers understand Asia better and formulate concrete policies.
The Clean EDGE Asia Conference is the culminating manifestation of these efforts, bringing together stakeholders, technical experts, and policymakers from Southeast Asia, the United States, and the entire Indo-Pacific region.
This conference not only brings together stakeholders, but also embraces cooperation between NBR and IIEE.
IIEE, as a research institution based in Indonesia, specializes in energy issues. As a non-profit organization, IIEE plays a vital role in supporting the management and utilization of sustainable energy resources in Indonesia.
Eight main themes were the focus of discussion at this conference, including “Southeast Asia in the Energy Transition,” “Development Financing,” and “Pathways to Net Zero: The Role of Fossil Fuels in the Indo-Pacific.” The speakers, 43 people from various institutions, shared their knowledge and views to find solutions and policy recommendations related to the energy transition in Southeast Asia.
“This conference aims to find solutions to the challenges of increasing renewable energy and diversifying the local energy mix,” said Roy Kamphausen, President of NBR, when opening the conference.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Arifin Tasrif, appreciated the initiative of this conference, especially when Indonesia is in the midst of an energy transition effort.
“International cooperation and smart development will optimize clean energy potential to meet regional needs,” said Arifin.
Didi Hasan Putra, Executive Director of IIEE, hopes that this conference will encourage stakeholders in Indonesia and Southeast Asia to develop effective, just and collaborative energy transition strategies. This initiative is in line with Indonesia’s commitment to the Just Energy Transition Partnership – JETP with international partners.
US Investment Commitment
The United States has shown great interest in investing in clean energy infrastructure in Indonesia.
US Deputy Chief of Mission in Indonesia Jason P. Rebholz said there were already 100 companies showing interest in clean energy infrastructure worth more than $100 billion.
“This is a collaborative effort to partner private sector companies seeking clean energy-based investments with partners and policy makers in Indonesia,” he explained at the Conference.
Previously, Rebholz said the energy transition was one of the US government’s highest priorities and a key element in the partnership with Indonesia.
Meanwhile, one of the US partnerships with Indonesia in November 2023 is JETP, namely the Comprehensive Investment and Policy Plan or CIPP strategy.
“CIPP is a joint effort with a group of international partners or the International Partners Group which enables Indonesia to achieve the goal of reducing emissions in the electricity sector through renewable energy investment catalysts,” explained Rebholz.
Through this target, IPG is committed to mobilizing public funding of $10 billion. The Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero, a global coalition of leading financial institutions has also committed to mobilizing an additional $10 billion in private financing.
Rebholz also explained that his party had implemented this investment. In May 2023, the US Trade and Development Agency issued a $1 million dollar grant for a feasibility study for a Wind Power Plant in West Nusa Tenggara.
Then, the Asian Development Bank and Indonesia also announced plans at COP28 in Dubai to initiate an early shutdown of the Cirebon 1 PLTU through the ADB Energy Transition Mechanism.
In November 2023, former US Ambassador Sung Y. Kim and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif signed an agreement to deepen partnerships and technical assistance in the development of minerals and clean energy.
He also explained that his party had a program to exploit the extraordinary geothermal potential in Indonesia and look for alternatives to coal, which are more environmentally friendly.
Through the US Agency for International Development, it is working with PLN to support PLN’s transition towards a clean energy pathway and achieve the Net Zero Emissions target, which is very important in implementing JETP. (AT Network)
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