Indonesia plans coal expansion, undermines emissions goals

Indonesia's recent electricity master plan, which includes the expansion of 'captive' coal plants, threatens the country's commitments to reduce CO2 emissions by 2030 and phase out coal by 2040. A report by energy think tank Ember highlights that the plan could add 26.8 gigawatts of new coal capacity over the next seven years, primarily aimed at industrial energy supply rather than the national grid. This expansion runs counter to Indonesia's goals for increasing renewable energy generation to 44% by 2030, risking a significant rise in coal generation by 62.7% by 2037. Experts warn that continuing to invest in coal is economically unviable as global markets increasingly shift to clean energy, and that Indonesia must prioritize renewable energy to maintain sustainability and competitiveness. Additionally, the potential health and environmental risks of increased coal power generation could disproportionately affect local populations, particularly in areas with high concentrations of coal plants. The situation raises urgent questions about the viability of initiatives like the Just Energy Transition Partnership aimed at supporting Indonesia's energy transition.