Jakarta, (SR) — The National Center for Sustainable Transportation Technology (NCSTT) at Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) is hosting the third Energy Security and Carbon Neutrality (ESCN) Seminar at The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Mega Kuningan, on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The seminar is set to become an annual event, serving as a platform to discuss the challenges of achieving carbon neutrality while maintaining energy security in Indonesia.
The Chairman of the 3rd ESCN Seminar, Dr. Bentang Arief Budiman, S.T., M.Eng., reported that the event was attended by 142 participants and 16 speakers representing 65 institutions and companies. These included 7 government agencies, 11 educational institutions, and 47 industrial partners, both national and international. The committee noted a more diverse range of affiliations compared to previous ESCN seminars. Additionally, about 60% of the participants had attended the previous seminar.
The Head of NCSTT, Prof. Ir. Endra Joelianto, Ph.D., expressed his hope that the 3rd ESCN Seminar would serve as a platform for discussion and collaboration among experts, researchers, industry players, and policymakers to support Indonesia’s journey toward achieving Net Zero Emissions and addressing national energy challenges. In his remarks, Prof. Endra also officially opened the seminar.
The first keynote speaker at the 3rd ESCN Seminar was Solehan, S.P., M.M. from the Ministry of Industry, who delivered a comprehensive presentation on Indonesia’s commitment to accelerating industrial decarbonization, strengthening the development of electric vehicles and renewable energy, and enhancing cross-sector collaboration to support the national Net Zero Emission target.
The second keynote speaker, Mr. Dai Tanaka from Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, Japan, emphasized the importance of Indonesia adopting a balanced decarbonization strategy by integrating multiple vehicle electrification technologies with the use of biofuels. This approach, he noted, would help reduce dependence on imported oil and lower CO2 emissions while ensuring sustainable investment, consumer affordability, and national automotive competitiveness amid evolving global policy trends.
Meanwhile, the third keynote speaker, Prof. Dr.Eng. Ir. Iman Kartolaksono Reksowardojo, M.Eng. from Pertamina University, highlighted Indonesia’s significant potential to develop sustainable liquid fuels through various bioenergy technologies that have been successfully tested—from laboratory-scale trials to real market applications. He underscored the critical role of collaboration between academia, the government, and industry to ensure that these alternative fuels can meet domestic energy needs and become competitive for export.
In addition to the keynote sessions, the seminar also featured panel discussions addressing several key topics, including advancements in power generation strategies, the penetration of xEV technologies, and the development of alternative fuels.
First Panel Discussion was moderated by Dr. Ir. Agus Purwadi, M.T. from Institut Teknologi Bandung, with panellists Marhasak Denny Tarluga Silaban, S.Si., M.T. from the Ministry of Environment, Tetsuya Anjo from NEDO, Alvin Putra Sisdwinugraha from IESR, and Ricky Cahya Andrian from PT PLN (Persero), brought attention to critical issues raised by the audience. An important note from the House of Representatives Commission XII hearing with PLT. The Director General of Electricity of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources on November 13, 2025 is the update condition of the installed capacity of the national power generation mix of 107 GW still dominated by fossil fuel generation 85.6% (91.76 GW), dominated by Coal Power Plant 55.1% (59.07 GW), Gas Power Plant 24.5% (26.28 GW) and Diesel Power Plant 6% (6.41 GW). The portion of New and Renewable Energy of 14.4% (15.47 GW) is still smaller than the target of the 2025 RUPTL, dominated by Hydro 7.1%, Biomass 3.0%, Geothermal 2.6%, PV 1.3%, Wind 0.1% and other NRE around 0.3%. During discussion, it is also realized that the Indonesian electricity system cannot immediately abandon the role of fossil power plants which are still dominated by Coal power plants even though Indonesia has large NRE potential, but rather gradually because of its important role in maintaining reliability and basic load needs. In general, the discussion that took place in the ESCN 2025 power generation strategy session succeeded in enriching insights regarding the opportunities and challenges faced in meeting the demands of decarbonization and transitioning the energy sector towards NZE in accordance with national policies and global economic dynamics. As Indonesia aims for carbon neutrality by 2060, the current state of Indonesia's power generation mix data also serves as a reminder that, despite its vast NRE resource potential, Indonesia still needs acceleration to remain competitive with other countries in the ASEAN region and globally. Therefore, comprehensive collaboration between all stakeholders is very crucial and important.
The Second Panel Discussion, moderated by Rachman Setiawan, ST., M.Sc., Ph.D. from Institut Teknologi Bandung, featured distinguished panelists including Ir. Senda Hurmuzan Kanam, M.Sc. from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Patia Jungjungan Monangdo from the Ministry of Industry, Irwan Arifianto, S.T. from the Ministry of Transportation, Kukuh Kumara from GAIKINDO, and Asep Sarif Hidayat from PT. International Chemical Industry. In this discussion, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources emphasized energy self-sufficiency through 100 GW of solar power plants managed by village cooperatives, supported by BESS and regulatory reforms; the Ministry of Transportation highlighted the acceleration of the electric vehicle ecosystem through conversion regulations, fiscal incentives, type testing, and the development of electric BRT systems in major cities; the Ministry of Industry underscored xEV penetration through local content regulations, an industrial roadmap, and a USD 5.9 billion EV battery ecosystem megaproject; the private sector, represented by ABC Lithium, reinforced domestic capacity in battery cell and pack production aligned with SNI/UNR standards; while GAIKINDO together with ITB addressed the potential of bioethanol as a low-carbon fuel. Collectively, these policies and initiatives demonstrate strong synergy between government, industry, and academia in reducing emissions, strengthening energy independence, and positioning Indonesia as a hub for the production and export of electric vehicles and batteries.
The Third Panel Discussion, moderated by Ir. Farid Triawan, Dr. Eng. from Sampoerna University and featuring distinguished panelists including Ir. Edi Wibowo, M.T. from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Izmirta Rachman from APSENDO, Ismal Gamar from Pertamina, and Abdul Rochim from Technical Committee 27-04 on Bioenergy, emphasized that Indonesia’s biofuel development program is targeting a transition from B40 to B50 through comprehensive trials beginning in 2025, while simultaneously improving B100 and B50 specifications related to water content, monoglyceride levels, and oxidation stability. Test results indicate that the B35D15 and B40D10 formulations outperform B50 in terms of engine performance and reduced filter-clogging potential, whereas Pertamina’s green refinery–produced HVO offers superior quality, longer storage stability, and significant emission reductions. Conversely, bioethanol development continues to face challenges in feedstock availability, fiscal incentives, and distribution, limiting its current utilization to Pertamax Green 95, with a roadmap toward E10 and E20. Collectively, these strategies are designed to strengthen energy security, reduce fuel imports, enhance the added value of crude palm oil, and contribute to achieving Indonesia’s Net Zero Emission target by 2060.
The panel sessions offered comprehensive insights on each topic, stimulating innovative ideas to accelerate the realization of sustainable energy resilience in Indonesia.
NCSTT ITB remains committed to organizing the ESCN Seminar annually to further strengthen networks, enhance collaboration among relevant institutions, and foster the advancement of a sustainable energy ecosystem.
