Jakarta, INTI - Indonesia's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) announced that the country has an estimated 3,687 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy potential, providing significant opportunities to accelerate clean energy development, strengthen national energy security, and support regional development, including remote, frontier, outermost, and disadvantaged (3T) areas.
The statement was delivered by Yudhiawan during the Patriot Expedition 2026 briefing in Jakarta.
"Indonesia possesses enormous renewable energy potential of 3,687 GW, primarily from solar, hydropower, and wind energy," he said.
Despite this vast potential, Indonesia had installed only 16.321 GW of renewable energy capacity as of June 2026, highlighting substantial room for future expansion.
Renewable Energy to Strengthen Electricity Infrastructure
According to Yudhiawan, accelerating renewable energy deployment will not only improve energy security but also support sustainable development in transmigration areas by providing reliable and clean electricity.
The government plans to develop 69.5 GW of new power generation capacity, including 43.6 GW from renewable energy sources.
To support this expansion, Indonesia will build 47,758 kilometers of transmission lines and substations with a total capacity of 107,950 MVA, strengthening the national power grid and expanding electricity access.
Special attention will be given to 3T regions, where villages near existing distribution networks will receive grid connections, while remote islands and isolated communities will be served through renewable energy-based mini-grid systems.
Papua and Village Electrification Become Key Priorities
Papua has been identified as one of Indonesia's priority regions due to its abundant local renewable energy resources, particularly solar and micro-hydropower.
"For areas that are difficult to reach, utilizing local renewable energy resources offers a practical solution for delivering sustainable electricity," Yudhiawan explained.
The government will also continue its Village Electrification Program and the Electricity Connection Assistance Program to improve electricity access nationwide.
In 2025, the village electrification initiative reached 1,516 locations, providing electricity to 77,616 households. The program will continue throughout 2026 to improve quality of life, education, healthcare, and local economic development.
Three Pillars Toward Energy Sovereignty
Beyond renewable energy expansion, the government is pursuing three strategic pillars to achieve energy sovereignty: energy independence, energy security, and energy self-sufficiency.
The strategy includes increasing national energy reserves from 18–21 days to at least 30 days, boosting domestic oil and gas production, expanding electric vehicle adoption, promoting natural gas as an LPG substitute, and accelerating the use of clean energy.
Conclusion
With one of the world's largest renewable energy resources, Indonesia has a significant opportunity to strengthen energy security, expand electricity access, and accelerate the transition toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy system while supporting inclusive regional development.
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