East Kalimantan Bappeda Explains Steps for Fair Energy Transformation in Indonesia Sustainable Energy Week 2025

Samarinda - East Kalimantan is now one of the pilot provinces in efforts to Equitable Energy Transformation. East Kalimantan is currently trying to reduce dependence on the oil, gas and coal sectors, towards a cleaner and more environmentally friendly energy system.

As part of this effort, East Kalimantan is hosting the international events Indonesia Sustainable Energy Week (ISEW) and International Capacity Development Program (ICDP) for Coal Regions in Transition which will be held on 13–16 October 2025 in Samarinda.

This activity carries the theme "Just Energy Transition" or a just energy transition, and was initiated by GIZ (German Corporation for International Cooperation) in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and Bappenas of the Republic of Indonesia.

Why is East Kalimantan Important for Transforming?

Since the 1970s, East Kalimantan has depended on natural resources such as oil, gas and wood. Entering 2007, this dependence shifted to the coal and oil and gas sectors. Long-term dependence on non-renewable natural resources has negative impacts such as environmental damage, economic instability due to fluctuations in commodity prices, and the threat of a climate crisis. Therefore, a transition towards more equitable and sustainable energy is an urgent need.

Bappeda East Kalimantan Explains Strategy and Direction for Transformation

In this international forum, Wahyu Gatut Purboyo, Head of Economic and Natural Resources (PSDA), representing the Head of Bappeda East Kalimantan explained the strategy and direction of energy transformation in East Kalimantan .

Gatut explained East Kalimantan's various strategic steps to reduce dependence on the extractive sector. One of the initiatives currently underway is the Regional Consultation Forum (FKD) for the Acceleration of Transformation, which has been running since 2024.

"The Regional Consultation Forum for the Acceleration of Economic Transformation aims to open up a wider space for participation from various actors. Through this forum, it is not just a consultation forum symbolic, but with more emphasis on the goal of collaboration," Gatut said on Tuesday (14/10).

Results and Direction of the Regional Consultation Forum

In the first round of FKD, it was agreed that 15 priority economic activities would be expected to replace East Kalimantan's dependence on coal. Some of the main sectors include:

Oil Palm Plantations

Oil palm productivity in East Kalimantan currently reaches 3.46 tonnes/ha/year and is targeted to increase to 5 tonnes/ha/year through increased productivity after FKD is implemented This.

Cultivating Tiger Prawns

The productivity of marine products, especially shrimp, is relatively low in East Kaliamantan, currently shrimp productivity is at 0.125 tons/ha/year and is expected to increase by 0.58 tons/ha/year in 2045. Current conditions, shrimp ponds in East Kalimantan are still traditional and the total area available is still very limited.

New, Renewable Energy (EBT)

Kaltim is starting to develop various new energy sources such as PLTS which will be built in villages in collaboration with PLN, apart from that, PLTA and biomethane are planned as the backbone of renewable electrical energy in the future.

Next round FKD will discuss other opportunities such as green hydrogen and ammonia, ecotourism, solar panels, and electric vehicles.

“From coal to collaboration, this transformation acceleration forum aims to ensure that in the future, East Kalimantan does not only depend on coal. We also hope that we can become a forum as a forum that does not stop "After this project is completed, in the future it is hoped that this forum will always be able to discuss various issues (related to economic and energy transformation) in East Kalimantan," concluded Gatut, ending his presentation.

(Author: Suci Ashari)

(Editor: Zainul Hussein)