Renewables Make Up Only 14.4% of Indonesia’s Power Capacity as ESDM Highlights Major Development Barriers
Key Takeaways
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JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — Indonesia’s installed electricity capacity has reached 107 gigawatts as of October 2025, yet only 14.4% comes from renewable sources, according to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
Acting Director General of Electricity at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Tri Winarno, said Indonesia has a broad mix of renewable resources — from hydropower and geothermal to solar and wind — but their development has been hindered by a range of technical and logistical barriers.
“It may seem small, but there’s a long struggle behind it — such as the lengthy hydropower construction in inland areas and geothermal projects that require risky exploration in forest zones,” Tri said during a hearing with Commission XII of the House of Representatives on Thursday, Nov 13, 2025.
He explained that the construction of large-scale renewable power plants often takes years due to terrain challenges, complex permitting, and long transmission development timelines. “These projects are not just about technology; they are about overcoming geography, regulation, and financing hurdles at the same time,” he added.
Among renewable types, solar power plants have emerged as the fastest to deploy but remain unsuitable as baseload generators due to intermittency. “Solar power is quick to build but intermittent, while wind turbines still depend on wind speeds,” Tri noted.
Hydropower remains the main contributor to Indonesia’s renewable capacity, accounting for more than 7% of the national total, followed by biomass at 3%, geothermal at 2.6%, solar at 1.3%, and wind at 0.1%.
Tri said that although the share is still small, renewable energy capacity in Indonesia has shown consistent growth, forming a stronger foundation for the country’s long-term energy transition. “The government is committed to accelerating renewable development as part of the journey toward achieving net zero emissions by 2060,” he said.
Indonesia’s Broader Climate Commitment at COP30
At the COP30 climate summit held in Belem, Brazil, Indonesia reaffirmed its national goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2060. Presidential Envoy for Climate and Energy Hashim Djojohadikusumo emphasized that Indonesia’s approach to energy transition must remain inclusive, balancing decarbonization with economic growth and social equity.
Hashim outlined that the government aims to cut emissions by 1.5 gigatons of CO₂ equivalent by 2035, while ensuring renewable energy contributes 23% to the national energy mix by 2030. He said the transition cannot rely solely on new technologies but must include financial reforms, community participation, and collaboration with international partners.
The government’s renewed pledge at COP30 aligns with ESDM’s domestic efforts to expand renewable energy infrastructure — though officials admit the path forward remains complex, given the challenges of geography, investment, and transmission connectivity.