In Indonesia's electricity landscape as of 2023, fossil fuels dominate significantly, making up about 81% of electricity consumption. Coal is the largest contributor within this category, accounting for approximately 62%. Meanwhile, cleaner low-carbon energy sources, though less dominant, comprise around 19% of the energy mix. Hydropower is the most substantial low-carbon source, contributing 7%, followed by biofuels at about 6% and geothermal at nearly 5%. These numbers reflect a heavy reliance on carbon-intensive sources, with low-carbon options representing just under a fifth of the total electricity generation.
Is Electricity Growing in Indonesia?
Electricity consumption in Indonesia has seen some growth, with the latest data indicating an increase to 1250 kWh per person in 2023, up from the previous high of 1199 kWh per person in 2022. However, this growth is mainly fossil-driven, as low-carbon electricity generation slightly declined by 3 kWh per person from 235 kWh in the previous year. While the overall increase in consumption may be positive, the stagnation and slight drop in the low-carbon segment is a worrying trend that needs to be reversed to align with global sustainability goals and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.
Suggestions
To increase its low-carbon electricity generation, Indonesia can learn from several successful regions. For instance, embracing nuclear energy similar to France, where nuclear accounts for 69% of electricity, could significantly boost clean energy shares. Moreover, Indonesia could expand its solar capacity, taking inspiration from regions like Lebanon and Nevada, where solar energy provides around 30% of electricity. Learning from these examples could help Indonesia reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and enhance its capacity for sustainable growth in electricity generation.
History
Historically, Indonesia's low-carbon electricity generation has seen various changes, primarily through developments in hydropower and biofuels. In the late 1990s, hydroelectric power fluctuated with increases and decreases until a more stable growth was observed in the 2010s. The early 2020s showcased further growth in biofuel-driven electricity, notably in 2018 when an impressive 12.7 TWh increase was recorded. However, by 2023 hydroelectricity saw a drop, emphasizing the need for more stable, diversified low-carbon sources like nuclear and solar. These historical insights highlight the opportunity and necessity for Indonesia to bolster its commitment to green energy to secure a cleaner, more resilient energy future.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.