Luhut Hopeful to Export Electricity to Singapore, Backtracking Past Criticism

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investments Luhut Pandjaitan in a written statement on Monday evening claims Singapore has expressed hope to partner with Indonesia in the clean energy electricity supply partnership. Thus, he was hopeful for Indonesia to start exporting the commodity. 

“They have shown strong interest to partner with Indonesia in electricity supplies,” Luhut wrote in his statement on June 5, “Our hope currently is to start exporting because, in its current state, up to 90 percent still uses fossil [sources].”

He insisted that the two countries need each other and lauded Singapore as an incredible country that Indonesia can use as a role model in the field of education, research, and other aspects. 

This statement comes in contrast to his previous critical statement towards the country in reply to requests for Indonesia’s electricity sourced from clean energy, which highlighted the fact that the energy industry will not be built in Indonesia. 

“This Singapore is a jerk, they think we are stupid to tender our companies,” said Luhut Pandjaitan at the Westin Jakarta in an event regarding energy transition and industrial downstream on May 9. At the time, he noted the possibility of Indonesia exporting electricity to other countries but must coincide with the establishment of a domestic clean energy industry in Indonesia.

The government through the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment had previously signed a bilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Singapore regarding renewable energy cooperation. The signing was announced at the Indonesia-Singapore Leaders Retreat which was held in Singapore, Thursday, March 16.

In an official statement received by Tempo, the MoU was built on the energy cooperation between Indonesia and Singapore which was signed simultaneously with the Indonesia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat in 2022, as well as the MoU on Climate Change and Sustainability signed in March 2022.

Contained in the MoU, Luhut said Indonesia and Singapore would facilitate investment to develop the capabilities of the renewable energy manufacturing industry from upstream to downstream in Indonesia. This includes solar PV and the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), leveraging the investment for a power export project to Singapore.

RIANI SANUSI PUTRI

Editor's Choice: Singapore Bestows Distinguished Service Honor on Luhut Pandjaitan

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News