Indonesia's Latest Energy Plan Criticized for Favoring Fossil Fuels, Greenpeace Says

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Greenpeace Indonesia has criticized the recently introduced Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL) 2025-2034 shared by the government. The international environmental organization contends that despite the urgent climate crisis and the shift toward clean energy, the plan still favors fossil fuels, particularly coal and gas.

The latest RUPTL proposes adding 6.3 Gigawatts (GW) of coal-fired power plants and 10.3 GW of gas-fired power plants. Greenpeace warns that this approach will deepen Indonesia’s long-term reliance on polluting energy sources.

"The addition of fossil-based power plants will further lock Indonesia into a coal lock-in and fossil gas lock-in for the next 25 to 30 years, or even longer, according to the power plant's operating period," said Adila Isfandiari, Climate and Energy Campaigner for Greenpeace Indonesia, as quoted in a written statement on Thursday, May 29, 2025.

Greenpeace also takes issue with Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation No. 10 of 2025, which outlines the Energy Transition Roadmap for the Electricity Sector but appears contradictory. The government continues to face challenges in implementing the retirement plan for the Cirebon 1 coal-fired power plant.

Adila further highlights the imbalance in power plant development between fossil fuels and renewables. Between 2018 and 2023, fossil energy plants increased by 18.4 GW—almost six times the 3.2 GW added from renewable sources. Despite this, Indonesia’s renewable energy mix was only 15 percent in 2024.

Moreover, Adila warns that the latest National Energy General Plan (RPP KEN) could extend coal and gas use until 2060. Meanwhile, PLN (the State Electricity Company) has unveiled plans to develop 22 GW of new gas power plants by 2040 through the Accelerated Renewable Energy Development (ARED) program, which Greenpeace sees as an obstacle to the energy transition.

In collaboration with the Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS), Greenpeace estimates that new gas power plants could increase carbon emissions by up to 49 million tons annually. This figure excludes methane emissions leaking from the supply chain, a gas with 82.5 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide.

"Fossil gas is not an energy transition solution. In addition to its impact on the climate, the use of gas will also become an economic burden because Indonesia is projected to become a net gas importer by 2040," Adila said. She added that research by Trend Asia estimates fossil gas development could cost Indonesia up to US$32.42 billion.

However, Adila acknowledged Indonesia’s commitment to the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JET-P), aiming for a 44 percent renewable energy mix by 2030. President Prabowo has also set ambitious goals to build 75 GW of renewable energy within 15 years and achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2050.

"The government must stop leaving room for fossil energy and start providing consistent policy direction. The RUPTL should reflect a commitment to clean energy, not strengthen dependence on coal and gas," Adila said.

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