On 9 March 2020, research analysts from ASEAN Climate Change and Energy Project (ACCEPT), Dr. Zulfikar Yurnaidi, Ms. Monika Merdekawati, and Mr. Muhammad Rizki Kresnawan attended the Renewable Energy Workshop 2020. It was held by Innovation Norway under the Norwegian Embassy for Indonesia in cooperation with the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM). The workshop also served as a ceremony for 70 years of cooperation between Indonesia and Norway.

The workshop was opened with welcoming remarks from Norwegian Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia, Vegard Kaale, and the Director-General of Directorate of New, Renewable and Conservation Energy of Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, F.X. Sutijastoto.

The discussion session of the workshop was led by Mr. Paul Butarbutar, Executive Director of Indonesia Renewable Energy Society. Mr. Harris, the Director for Various New, Renewable and Conservation Energy, updated the status of renewable energy projects and policies Indonesia. Following that, representations from Norway companies, i.e. Norconsult, Norfund, Sogn Industry AS, Scatec Solar, and DNV GL, shared their experiences and perspectives on the development of renewable energy projects, ranging from technology to finance.

Figure 1 Workshop led by Mr. Paul Butarbutar, Executive Director of Indonesia Renewable Energy Society

Figure 2 Presentation of Indonesia’s Renewable Energy Policies and Status by Mr. Harris

The event had a big vision of supporting Indonesia in achieving the target of 23% renewable energy shares in the energy mix by 2025. As ACCEPT also aims to improve the coherence between regional and national policy on energy and climate change, the strategies outlined in the workshop are indispensable insights to assist the achievement of ASEAN aspirational target under the ASEAN Plan of Action on Energy Cooperation (APAEC)—23% RE share of Total Primary Energy Supply (TPES) by 2025.

During discussions of the workshop highlighted the variety of challenges that must be faced during the development of prospective renewable energy projects in Indonesia. The one-on-one sessions allowed Indonesian energy practitioners to network and consult with the Norwegian experts on such challenges and finding solutions. Through discussions on the feasibility study, local contents, potential projects, financing, and others, further collaborations between Indonesia and Norway are to be expected. Such collaborations are part of the key missions of ACCEPT, connecting ASEAN and Norway through energy and climate change.

ACCEPT team also learned that energy players in Indonesia are anticipating the upcoming new law on renewable energy incentives. To fully unleash its potential and accelerate renewable energy penetration, strategic collaboration is necessary, including with Norway entities to adopt proven strategies. The “silo bridging” between policymakers and business entities was a key takeaway from the event, which is in-line with the vision of ACCEPT. ACCEPT attempts to bridge “silos” of energy and climate change, as well as “silos” of science, policy, and business. The discussions and findings from this workshop are crucial inputs for ACCEPT in developing a recommendation for the ASEAN Member States.