FORMER Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) under President Jokowi, Arcandra Tahar emphasized that the government of Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka needs to implement effective strategies to achieve energy self-sufficiency. According to him, the government needs to reduce the volume of imports of crude oil, fuel oil (BBM) and LPG gas. However, on the one hand, the country must ensure energy availability.
“Regarding the speed at which we can become energy self-sufficient, it depends on what the best strategy is. We need to reduce dependence on imports, but we must also ensure that the energy supply is adequate,” he said in a discussion in Jakarta, Wednesday (30/10)
The government needs to encourage cooperation contract contractors (KKKS) to strive to find new sources of oil and gas (oil and gas) through massive exploration. This needs to be accompanied by large funding. In 2018, when Arcandra served as Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, his party launched a breakthrough, namely a definite work commitment that KKKS would use for their investment in oil and gas field exploration activities.
“There must be a massive exploration plan. However, if there are no funds, how can we explore,” he said.
“Previously we had funds of up to US$ 2 billion for oil and gas exploration. The new government must be more active in increasing funds for exploration resources,” he continued.
On the one hand, the government is also asked to look for alternative or substitute fuel sources for fossil energy sources, namely by utilizing renewable energy sources. The government can encourage the development of geothermal or geothermal resource potential. Quoting data from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, geothermal potential in Indonesia reaches 40% of world potential or 24,000 megawatts (MW). However, only 11% of this potential has been utilized.
“In reducing imports, we must have domestic substitutes. We have great geothermal potential. But, to what extent is the government serious about utilizing our resources,” he concluded. (S-1)
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Arcandra Tahar sekarang
**Interview with Arcandra Tahar, Former Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Tahar. In your recent statements, you’ve emphasized the need for the current government to implement effective strategies for energy self-sufficiency. Can you elaborate on what these strategies might entail?
**Arcandra Tahar:** Thank you for having me. Achieving energy self-sufficiency is critical, and it requires a multi-faceted approach. We must focus on reducing our imports of crude oil, fuel oil, and LPG. This means investing in local production and exploring new energy sources, which can be done through enhancing our upstream oil and gas exploration activities. Additionally, it’s important to ensure that while we reduce imports, we also maintain a stable and sufficient energy supply to meet our country’s demands.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned reducing dependence on imports. What challenges do you foresee in this endeavor?
**Arcandra Tahar:** One of the primary challenges is the current infrastructure for oil and gas. We need to enhance our exploration capabilities and incentivize contractors to find new sources. Another challenge is balancing the transition to self-sufficiency without jeopardizing the existing supply chains and energy security in the interim. It’s crucial that any strategy we implement can adapt to potential market fluctuations while ensuring that we don’t face energy shortfalls.
**Interviewer:** What role do you see for the government in encouraging energy independence?
**Arcandra Tahar:** The government plays a pivotal role. It needs to create a favorable regulatory environment that stimulates investment in the energy sector, particularly for new and renewable energy sources. Furthermore, fostering partnerships between the government and private contractors could lead to innovative solutions and technologies that are key to unlocking new reserves of oil and gas. Encouraging research and development in sustainable energy sectors will also be essential as we move towards long-term energy independence.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, how do you envision the timeline for achieving energy self-sufficiency?
**Arcandra Tahar:** The timeline is contingent on the strategies implemented and how effectively they are pursued. If the government prioritizes this issue and mobilizes resources adequately, we can see significant progress within the next decade. However, it will require consistent policy support, investment, and collaboration across various sectors to ensure its success.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mr. Tahar, for sharing your insights with us. It sounds like a complex challenge, but also a crucial one for Indonesia’s future.
**Arcandra Tahar:** Thank you for having me. I believe with the right strategies and commitment, we can make great strides toward energy self-sufficiency.