Indonesia has set a higher composition of renewable energy in the country's energy consumption as the government aims at reducing reliance on fossil fuels and safeguarding energy security.
The policy was supported by abundant sources of renewable energy which can be used to generate power and a huge amount of crude palm oil outputs as raw materials for biofuel.
Indonesian Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif said the government increase the target of renewable energy usage to 13.4 percent this year from 12.5 percent in the previous year, media reported Thursday.
The composition would be persistently increased in the coming years, by 14.5 percent, 15.7 percent, 17.9 percent and 19.5 percent for 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 respectively, Minister Arifin said.
The goal is to support the economic growth with qualified expansion, he stressed.
According to the minister, the electricity generated by renewable energy is expected to rise by 700 megawatts to 10,843 megawatts this year.
Indonesia has various sources of renewable energy including waters, winds, geothermal heat and crude palm oil.
As the world's largest producer of crude palm oil, Indonesia has commenced using bio-diesel fuel with higher bio-content of 30 percent (B30).
The government plans to carry out road tests for bio-diesel fuel with higher bio content of 40 percent this year and 50 percent at the beginning of next year.
Less reliance on fossil fuel would help reduce Indonesia's import of the commodity which has significantly contributed to trade deficit.
Indonesia's oil outputs have been dwindling due to aging wells and lackluster new reserves in recent years, making the country a net oil importer, according to SKK Migas, an Indonesian special unit that undertakes upstream oil and natural gas.
Editor:Cherie
