Jakarta, TAMBANG – The government extended the cooperation program Towards Indonesia’s Low Carbon Energy Transition (MENTARI) with the British Government until 2027. This bilateral extension agreement was carried out at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (EDM) Building in Jakarta, Friday (4/8) .
“The UK is committed to increasing its support in achieving Indonesia’s Net Zero Emission (NZE) target. Initially, the MENTARI program was scheduled to end in 2024, but now it will be extended to 2027,” said the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Arifin Tasrif.
Arifin said that in extending this cooperation the British Government would provide additional financial aid of £6.5 million or the equivalent of Rp.135 billion.
“This is to maintain and improve the program initiative,” said Arifin.
Arifin said, MENTARI has become the main partner working with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to improve the planning and procurement of renewable energy, both for on-grid and off-grid applications, putting forward policies, recommendations and technical studies.
“They have also worked on several low-carbon energy projects and implemented pilot projects in eastern Indonesia,” said Arifin.
Apart from the MENTARI program, the UK is also actively supporting Indonesia through various programs, including the Just Energy Transitions Partnership (JETP) and the Joint Economic And Trade Committee (JETCO).
“We project that this partnership will continue to grow, promoting technical cooperation, sustainable trade and green investment between the two countries,” he added.
The British Minister of Energy and Net Zero Security, Graham Stuart said that Indonesia could play a major role in Indonesia’s clean energy transition. With the help of UK expertise and investment, Indonesia is accelerating its transition from coal to clean energy.
“Being one of the fastest growing economies in the world and with great potential for developing renewable energy, Indonesia can play a major role in the clean energy transition in Southeast Asia. With the help of British expertise and investment, Indonesia is accelerating its transition from coal to clean electricity, and is working hard to reach net zero by 2060 or sooner,” said Stuart.
In addition, Stuart also said that the MENTARI Program was implemented to help Indonesia realize its renewable energy potential.
“Today, I am pleased to announce the extension of the MENTARI UK-Indonesia Low Carbon Energy Partnership. This program works together with our partners in Indonesia to accelerate investment in renewable energy to help Indonesia’s transition to a green economy, helping the country with the largest population in Southeast Asia realize its renewable energy potential,” he concluded.
For information, the MENTARI Program will be implemented in the period 2020 – 2024 and is a follow-up to the MoU between MEMR and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office UK, namely in the field of Low Carbon Energy Development (LCEP) Cooperation.
