RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia and Singapore are moving closer to realizing a clean energy collaboration that has the potential to transform the industrial landscape in the Riau Islands. Beyond just electricity export plans, this project aims to establish Batam, Bintan, and Karimun as a hub for the green technology industry in the region.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, said that the government wants to leverage the supply of clean energy to attract investment from global technology companies. With the availability of green electricity, industrial areas in the Riau Islands are expected to become a magnet for the development of production facilities and sustainable technology centers.

According to him, preparations for the industrial area in the region are nearly complete. The government is currently finalizing various technical aspects so that the project can begin operations soon.

"I've received a report that the industrial area is almost finalized. We will build it in the Riau Islands. And I'm still clearing this. If it's complete, I think this will be a step forward in preparation," the Minister said on Sunday, March 15, 2026, as quoted by the ministry's official website.

Discussions regarding this collaboration took place during Bahlil's meeting with Singapore’s Minister for Manpower and Energy Coordinator who is also responsible for the energy sector, Tan See Leng, in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday, March 15, 2026. Tan See Leng said that most of the technical discussions between the two countries have shown significant progress.

"I think most of the technical discussions have made good progress," said Tan See Leng.

In addition to the clean electricity export plan, the two countries also discussed the development of sustainable industrial areas in Batam, Bintan, and Karimun. The Indonesian government emphasized that domestic electricity needs remain a priority before energy exports.

Furthermore, this collaboration also opens up opportunities for the development of low-carbon technologies, including carbon capture and storage (CCS).

"Regarding CCS, I have prepared the regulations. We can then collaborate on that," Bahlil said.

Indonesia is offering to export electricity sourced from solar power plants (PLTS), in line with its 100-gigawatt (GW) national electricity development program. This capacity is not only intended to meet domestic needs but also opens up opportunities for energy exports to neighboring countries.

However, challenges remain, particularly related to the price of green energy, which is currently higher than fossil-based energy.

Both countries view this collaboration as a strategic step to strengthen clean energy leadership in the ASEAN region. With Indonesia's vast renewable energy resources and Singapore's technological and investment support, this project is expected to position the Riau Islands region as a key part of the regional green energy supply chain.

As a first step, the government is targeting pilot projects in Batam, Bintan, and Karimun to begin soon as an implementation of three previously signed memorandums of understanding. ***