RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The Indonesian government is accelerating the clean energy transition by developing a national hydrogen ecosystem, with 93 projects prepared across various regions to strengthen energy security and attract investment in the new and renewable energy (NRE) sector.

The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry said the initiative is part of the “dedieselization” (diesel phase-out) program, which aims to reduce reliance on diesel-fueled power plants, particularly in remote areas.

“These projects will generate IDR 32 trillion (around USD 1.78 billion) in investment, which we will oversee,” said Director General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBTKE) Eniya Listiani Dewi during the opening of the Global Hydrogen Ecosystem Summit & Exhibition 2026 in Jakarta on Tuesday, July 22, as quoted by Antara.

Eniya said one of the diesel phase‑out projects is targeted to begin operations in Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara, in 2028. Another project on Rengit Island in the Seribu Islands, in collaboration with state-owned electricity company PLN, will combine a solar power plant with hydrogen as an energy storage medium.

“We also see (state-owned energy giant) Pertamina starting to use geothermal energy to produce hydrogen, an initiative already launched in Ulubelu, Tanggamus, Lampung,” she said.

According to Eniya, hydrogen use could raise Indonesia’s energy resilience index from 7 to 8 on a scale of 10. She stressed that this target can only be achieved through coordination among the government, state-owned enterprises, industry, universities, research institutions, and international partners.

“We want to tap into energy sources from our own resources, without relying on others,” she said.

At the summit, the government also launched the Hydrogen-Diesel Dual Fuel (H2 DDF) Pilot Bus, a modified diesel bus owned by state bus operator DAMRI. The vehicle marks the initial phase of developing low-carbon transportation by combining diesel and hydrogen fuels.

The technology aims to reduce diesel consumption, curb exhaust emissions, strengthen the hydrogen transportation ecosystem, and pave the way for commercialization of hydrogen-based vehicles in Indonesia.

Eniya noted that the development will not be limited to buses. “It will also extend to passenger cars, drones, forklifts, and hydrogen gas stoves,” she concluded. ***