Indonesia Seeks UK Partnership to Accelerate Rural Electrification

Villages and Disadvantaged Regions Development Minister Yandri Susanto met with a delegation of 15 chief executives from UK-based energy and technology companies in Jakarta on Thursday, February 12, 2026, to discuss potential cooperation to expand electricity access and support rural development.

“We want this collaboration to produce solutions that can truly be used in villages,” Yandri said, as quoted by Antara.

The delegation included executives from several British companies. Among them were Carruthers Renewables, which specializes in off-grid micro-hydro systems, and Centre for Energy Equality (CEE), which focuses on inclusive energy solutions.

The group also included representatives of Eja-Ice, a developer of solar-powered cold chain systems for food and healthcare, Propel and Power, known for its bladeless marine turbines suited to coastal areas, and Compact Syngas Solutions, which converts waste into energy.

The meeting focused on practical solutions for rural electrification in remote and archipelagic regions, including the development of decentralized renewable energy systems, strengthening electricity supply for village-owned enterprises (BUMDes) and government-backed Merah Putih Village Cooperatives, and providing energy support forcold chains and essential village services. The parties also discussed pilot project schemes as an initial step toward implementation.

Yandri said the ministry welcomes collaboration with any partner willing to contribute to village development. “There are 75,266 villages, so we must collaborate to build our villages,” he said.

He added that the ministry oversees 12 priority programs that could be linked to the proposed cooperation, including the export village initiative, which targets the development of 5,000 export-oriented villages based on each village’s economic potential.

“We also have a thematic village program tailored to each village’s potential, including as suppliers of raw materials for the government’s Free Nutritious Meals program,” Yandri said.

Other initiatives include climate-resilient villages and zero-waste villages. Yandri expressed hope that international cooperation would bring direct benefits to rural communities.

During the meeting, the British CEOs conveyed their interest in supporting the ministry’s 12 action plans through technology-based energy solutions.

The discussion formed part of the Innovate UK Energy Access Brokerage program in Indonesia, which connects British innovators with national stakeholders to explore collaboration in rural electrification, renewable energy, and technology-driven village economic development. ***