Malaysia-Indonesia Form Task Force To Advance Renewable Energy, ASEAN Power Grid

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, Sept 7 (Bernama) -- In a significant move to enhance regional energy cooperation, Malaysia and Indonesia have agreed to form a joint task force to boost renewable energy initiatives and advance the ASEAN Power Grid, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof announced.

He said the task force will explore the feasibility of a joint green industry between Malaysia's Sarawak and Indonesia's Kalimantan.

“The task force has been established to advance these initiatives. The group will begin its work this Monday (Sept 9) and is expected to finalise its findings within two weeks,” he told Malaysian media.

The decision to establish a task force follows two bilateral meetings on Friday with Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, and Indonesia’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia.

The task force will include representatives from the Energy Commission, Sarawak, and Tenaga Nasional Bhd, while Indonesia’s delegation will be led by a senior official at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment.

It will deliver a comprehensive report to Fadillah and Luhut, addressing energy supply issues between the two countries with a particular focus on renewable energy.

Fadillah will consult with both the Malaysian government and the Sarawak state government on any proposals and the outcomes of their discussions related to the joint task force.

Currently, Sarawak supplies energy to West Kalimantan, and with ongoing hydropower developments in other parts of Kalimantan, the establishment of the task force is of significant importance for enhancing regional energy cooperation.

Meanwhile, Fadillah said his meetings with Luhut and Bahlil were highly productive, focusing on the collaborative development of the renewable energy sector and setting priorities.

“We aim to not only advance these initiatives at the bilateral level but also within ASEAN, ensuring the benefits extend beyond individual countries. The goal is to foster cooperation and mutual support among all ASEAN countries,” he said.

Regarding Malaysia’s energy transition, he highlighted the need for substantial investment to move from fossil fuels and coal to cleaner energy sources.

He also emphasised the importance of maintaining a stable energy supply and managing electricity costs while balancing environmental and economic impacts to prevent disrupting national progress.

“Fortunately, local banks are willing to fund these investments, reducing reliance on external aid and demonstrating a positive outlook for the transition,” he added.

Fadillah, accompanied by a delegation and Malaysia’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Syed Md Hasrin Tengku Hussin, attended the 2024 Indonesia Sustainability Forum from September 5 to 6.

-- BERNAMA