Wednesday, 17 September 2025
Ready to Switch From Coal, East Kalimantan Accelerates Green Economic Transformation
Samarinda, (11/09) - East Kalimantan has been very dependent on coal. The latest data shows that more than a third of East Kalimantan's economy is still supported by coal, and more than half of regional income comes from this sector. However, global demand for coal is decreasing. This means that East Kalimantan must move quickly to find new supports for the regional economy.
This is what the Governor of East Kalimantan emphasized in an audience with the German GIZ Team. He emphasized that economic transformation is not an option, but an urgent necessity. It's not just about sustainability, but also about how the people of East Kalimantan will continue to have jobs and sources of livelihood in the future.
Since 2024, the Regional Consultation Forum (FKD) has formulated 15 priority sectors, starting from old sectors such as palm oil, rubber and fisheries, to new sectors such as bioavtur, solar panels and green hydrogen. East Kalimantan will also be a test location for various collaborative projects with the German government, which will help the region prepare for a just energy transition and create more green jobs.
As a concrete step, East Kalimantan will host Indonesia Sustainable Energy Week (ISEW) & ICDP on 13–17 October 2025 in Samarinda. This event will present 45+ international delegates from 7 countries, with an agenda of seminars, discussions at Mulawarman University, green jobs talk shows, and field visits to post-mining sites and independent energy villages.
The East Kalimantan Bappeda sees this step as a big opportunity: from an area that has been known as a coal producer for decades, East Kalimantan wants to be known as a global example of green economic transformation. This process is not easy, but it must be accelerated - so that the young generation of East Kalimantan no longer only depends on mining, but has opportunities in new sectors that are more environmentally friendly and sustainable.
This audience meeting was also attended by the East Kalimantan Provincial Secretary Sri Wahyuni, the relevant OPD leaders, and Ade Cahyat from GIZ Indonesia/ASEAN.
(SA)
