Jakarta. Indonesia’s young generation has a crucial role in shaping the country’s sustainable energy future by practicing energy conservation and embracing technological innovations in renewable energy, stakeholders said during a forum on Wednesday.

“Whatever we do today, whether positive or negative, will have consequences for future generations,” said Fadli Rahman, Chairman of the Youth Energy and Environment Council, during the Energy and Mineral Festival talk show in Jakarta.

Fadli said conserving energy today would ensure future energy security, regardless of the country’s current energy wealth. “No matter how rich we are in energy resources, if we are wasteful, we will face shortages in the future,” he said.

Energy conservation, he added, involves reducing household energy use, using public transportation, and fostering energy-saving awareness in workplaces, forming a practical path for youth to contribute to sustainability.

The second key responsibility for youth, Fadli added, is to remain open to innovation, especially in developing the country’s renewable energy potential.

Expanding Renewable Energy Access

Dwi Anggia, spokesperson for the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry (ESDM), called on young Indonesians to take an active role in the energy and mineral sector as the government pushes for energy independence and transition.

She pointed out to the challenges of ensuring equitable electricity access in remote areas and noted that the government is developing power plants based on local renewable energy resources, such as micro-hydro in river-rich regions and geothermal plants in volcanic areas.

“People, especially young people, may not realize how far the ministry’s work has gone in bringing electricity to remote areas using renewable energy,” Dwi said during the Energy and Mineral Festival press conference on Wednesday.

Inclusive Energy Transition

Muhammad Pradana Indraputra, Special Staff for Strategic Issues at the ESDM Ministry, underscored the need to protect the environment and ensure energy availability for all Indonesians, including those in underdeveloped and remote regions.

“It’s not just for the wealthy; it’s for everyone, including the middle class and those with fewer means,” Pradana said.

The forum, held under the theme “Energy: Our Future, Our Responsibility,” featured speakers including Fadli Rahman, Akbar Himawan Buchari, Chairman of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (BPP Hipmi), and Jayanty Oktavia Maulina, Head of Corporate Communication at El Nusa.

The discussions emphasized the responsibility of every individual, particularly the youth, in shaping the management of Indonesia’s energy and mineral resources to ensure a sustainable future for the nation.