Although Indonesia has set ambitious targets for renewable energy, it has yet to fully establish the financing and institutional trust needed to realize these goals. The country’s energy transition plans are reportedly progressing slowly due to coal dependency and lack of investment.
President Prabowo Subianto’s promise to accelerate the energy transition and build up to 75 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity in the coming decades also brings to light an investment need of approximately 235 billion dollars. However, the share of renewable sources in the energy mix remains below the 23% target, currently around 16%.
Financing gap hinders the transition
The article explains that coal plants maintain a strong position in Indonesia’s electricity system, and discussions about early closure of coal facilities often fail due to insufficient financing.
At this point, Danantara emerges as a critical institution that could play a key role as a new sovereign wealth fund. The fund’s authority over major public assets like PLN and Pertamina makes it a strategic tool for national development.
Gulf funds seek new opportunities
The article notes that sovereign wealth funds in Gulf countries are shifting toward long-term investment opportunities beyond oil. Entities such as Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Qatar Investment Authority, and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority seek stable returns from large-scale infrastructure and energy projects.
Within this framework, Indonesia could stand out as a promising market for investors due to its vast energy demand and significant renewable potential. Although solar, hydroelectric, and wind resources are abundant, the scale of investment needed to unlock this potential is still lacking.
Potential cooperation with the UAE
The article reports that the United Arab Emirates has shown interest in collaborating with Danantara on renewable energy projects, potentially including a 10-gigawatt initiative. UAE-based Masdar is already active in the country with the Cirata floating solar project and continues to explore new investments.
Such a partnership could provide Indonesia with the capital needed to strengthen grid infrastructure, reduce coal dependency, and accelerate the energy transition. For Gulf investors, it represents access to a growing renewable energy market and an opportunity to expand globally in clean technology.
The decisive factor: trust
The article argues that the most critical element in the equation is regulatory stability rather than financing. Investors can endure long payback periods but find policy uncertainty much harder to accept.
Therefore, for Danantara to serve as a gateway for Gulf capital, energy policies must remain consistent across political cycles. It is emphasized that power purchase agreements should be protected, permitting processes predictable, and rules should not change abruptly after investments are made.
In conclusion, the message highlights that Indonesia’s renewable energy future depends not only on its wealth of solar, river, and wind resources but also on its ability to establish trustworthy institutions. While Danantara could bridge the country’s energy potential with the Gulf’s vast capital pools, this bridge requires a solid foundation.