Powering the advancement of the green transition

Comprehensive energy cooperation has become a model for the economic and trade partnership between China and Indonesia, said senior government officials from both sides.

Zhang Jianhua, head of China's National Energy Administration, said at the recent seventh China-Indonesia Energy Forum held in Bali, Indonesia, that the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative aligns deeply with Indonesia's Global Maritime Fulcrum vision.

In today's global energy landscape, which faces complex and profound adjustments, further strengthening China-Indonesia energy cooperation is not only necessary to enhance the energy supply stability of both countries and to support their sustained economic growth, it also serves as a robust guarantee for promoting green development and helps drive the global energy transition, Zhang said.

Both sides should continue to consolidate their traditional energy cooperation, strengthen their cooperation in the field of renewable energy and new energy technologies, and jointly promote the coordinated development of the global energy governance system, he said, underscoring that by working together to plan energy cooperation and enhance their respective energy transition, the two countries will undoubtedly make greater contributions to their economic development and well-being of their peoples.

Arifin Tasrif, Indonesia's minister of energy and mineral resources, stated that global clean and low-carbon energy development has become a focal issue today.

Indonesia has set a goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 and possesses significant development potential in clean energy fields such as gas power, hydropower, photovoltaics, and wind power. It plans to vigorously introduce advanced clean energy technologies to meet the demands of energy transition and development, Tasrif said.

He added that energy cooperation between China and Indonesia has a long history and achieved significant results. In recent years, China's development in the clean and low-carbon energy sector has reached a leading global level. Indonesia is willing to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in the field of clean and low-carbon energy to jointly address their energy transition challenges.

In October, PT Shenhua Guohua Pembangkitan Jawa Bali, a joint venture between China Shenhua Energy and Indonesia's power company Perusahaan Listrik Negara received the Subroto Award, the highest accolade in the energy and mineral resources sector presented by Indonesia's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to stakeholders in recognition of their outstanding performance in local power safety and energy management.

Jisman Parada Hutajulu, director-general of electricity at the ministry, fully acknowledged the joint venture's innovative initiatives in reducing carbon emissions and improving energy utilization efficiency, which have played a significant role in advancing the energy transition and supporting Indonesia's net-zero emission goals.

The joint venture was also awarded the Best Independent Power Producer in Indonesia for the fourth consecutive year at the recent Asian Power Awards 2024 in Singapore, marking its outstanding contributions to the development of the Indonesian power industry.

Since the commissioning of two units in 2019 and 2020, the company has generated a total of 55.59 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, effectively supporting the stable operation of the Java-Bali grid and alleviating Indonesia's power shortage issues.

It has also driven the development of local coal, transportation, and related industries, boosting a virtuous cycle in the upstream and downstream industry chains.

Adhering to clean and efficient power generation, with environmental indicators exceeding Indonesian standards by three to four times, the company has been recognized for its environmental conservation efforts for two consecutive years. By implementing mangrove protection projects and ecological restoration measures, it has gradually expanded the surrounding ecosystem and achieved good economic and social benefits.

In addition to electricity production, the joint venture also actively participates in the construction of China-Indonesia cultural ties and strengthens the cohesion of Chinese and Indonesian employees.