RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s push toward renewable energy is gaining urgency as global conflicts threaten traditional supply routes. Director of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Jakarta, Miklos Gaspar, noted that locally produced renewable energy offers the most reliable path to energy security.

Gaspar noted that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has repeatedly warned of the risks posed by geopolitical tensions. “The best defense, the best way to build energy security for a country, is through the development of locally produced renewable energy,” Gaspar said in Jakarta on Thursday, April 17, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He pointed to the vulnerability of global shipping lanes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, where U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran have disrupted tanker traffic. “Local renewable energy is not only climate-friendly, but it also strengthens energy stability and supports national security overall,” he added.

The blockade, imposed by the U.S. Navy on April 13 after failed negotiations with Iran in Islamabad, has halted maritime traffic in and out of Iranian ports. The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly 20 percent of global oil, petroleum, and LNG shipments.

Two Pertamina subsidiary tankers remain stranded, forcing Indonesia to urgently seek alternative energy sources.

Domestically, Indonesia has made notable progress in its energy transition. By January 2026, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources reported that renewable energy contributed 15.75 percent to the national energy mix, marking the largest capacity addition in five years at 15,630 MW.

Hydropower leads with 7,587 MW, followed by bioenergy (3,148 MW) and geothermal (2,744 MW). Solar power has reached 1,494 MW, while other sources such as wind, waste-to-energy, and coal gasification continue to expand.

Looking ahead, the government plans an ambitious solar power project with a capacity of 100 GW. This includes 80 GW of solar plants and 320 GWh of battery storage under the Merah Putih Village Cooperative, alongside a centralized 20 GW solar facility.

This combination of international pressure and domestic achievement underscores a pivotal moment: Indonesia’s energy security may increasingly depend on how quickly it can scale up renewable power at home. ***