The debate between energy security and energy self-sufficiency becomes increasingly relevant in the context of Indonesia targeting the Golden Indonesia 2045. Conceptually, energy self-sufficiency refers to a country’s ability to fully meet its energy needs without relying on imports. Meanwhile, energy security focuses more on ensuring the availability of stable, affordable, and sustainable energy, including through imports if necessary. From a policy perspective, an approach that focuses only on energy self-sufficiency can face major obstacles, both in terms of infrastructure, investment, and global market volatility. Therefore, this paper argues that energy security should be a top priority in Indonesia’s national energy strategy.
Energy Self-Sufficiency: Ambition or Reality?
Indonesia is often referred to as a country rich in energy resources. However, empirical data shows major challenges in achieving energy self-sufficiency:
Oil and Gas: Data from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) shows that Indonesia’s oil production has fallen from 1.6 million barrels per day (bpd) in 1995 to only around 575 thousand bpd in 2024, while consumption has reached 1.6 million bpd. This has resulted in import dependence of more than 60%.
Natural Gas: Indonesia’s gas reserves reach 100 trillion cubic feet (TCF). However, exploration of deep sea areas is still constrained by high costs and technology.
Coal: Indonesia is the largest coal exporter, but domestic consumption is increasing, and downstream policies still face implementation obstacles.
Renewable Energy: Although the potential for renewable energy is very large (more than 400 GW from solar, wind, and hydro), the realization of installed capacity is still below 12%. From this data, it is clear that energy self-sufficiency without a strong resilience strategy will face major obstacles, both in terms of supply, technology, and investment.
Energy Resilience: A Realistic and Sustainable Choice
The energy resilience approach allows Indonesia to continue to rely on domestic energy sources but with greater flexibility through energy diversification and international cooperation. Indonesia can take several steps to strengthen energy resilience with the following strategies:
Energy Diversification. Relying on oil and gas is not sustainable in the long term. Therefore, energy policy must prioritize a broader energy mix, including increasing the contribution of renewable energy and exploring new, more efficient reserves.
Transition to Clean Energy. Energy self-sufficiency based on fossil fuels is an expensive and inefficient strategy. Energy security allows for a faster transition to clean energy, with investment in energy storage technology and smart grid infrastructure.
Increasing Efficiency and Accessibility. Energy efficiency is key to reducing import needs. Data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) shows that countries with high energy efficiency can save more than 20% of national energy consumption. Indonesia needs to adopt stricter efficiency policies in the industrial and transportation sectors.
Sustainable Energy Infrastructure Development. The availability of energy resources does not automatically mean energy security. Investment in infrastructure, such as modern electricity grids, smart grids, and energy storage technology, must be a top priority.
Strategic Reserves and Global Cooperation. Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) need to be increased to ensure supply stability. Currently, Indonesia only has reserves of around 20 days of consumption, far below the standards of developed countries such as the US (60 days) and Japan (90 days).
Conclusion and Policy Recommendations
Although energy self-sufficiency is an ideal goal, energy security is a more realistic and sustainable step. To achieve strong energy security, Indonesia must:
1. Increase the renewable energy mix to 35% by 2045 to reduce dependence on fossil fuels; 2. Build a strategic energy reserve (SPR) of at least 60 days of consumption to anticipate global energy market volatility; 3. Optimize energy efficiency in the industrial and transportation sectors to reduce dependence on imported energy; 4. Strengthen international energy cooperation to maintain stable energy supply and prices; 5. Accelerate investment in energy infrastructure such as smart grids and energy storage technology.
With this strategy, Indonesia can ensure that its energy supply remains safe, stable, and affordable, without having to force energy self-sufficiency which is difficult to achieve in the short term. The mindset transformation from energy security to more measurable energy self-sufficiency must be a top priority in national energy policy.
April 8, 2025, CNBC Indonesia
(https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/opini/20250408055430-14-624068/ketahanan-energi-swasembada-energi-dan-target-indonesia-emas-2045)