Jakarta, May 26, 2025 – The 2025–2034 Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL) by PT PLN (Persero) includes the addition of 16.6 gigawatts (GW) of fossil-fuel-based power plants, including coal and gas. This continued reliance on fossil energy appears to contradict President Prabowo Subianto’s vision of ending fossil fuel power generation by 2040, as announced at the G20 Summit in Brazil.
New RUPTL is a Setback for Indonesia’s Clean Energy Goals
According to Tata Mustasya, Executive Director of the Indonesian Foundation for Sustainable Welfare (SUSTAIN), this version of the RUPTL signals a step backward from the government’s stated energy transition goals.
“This RUPTL is a step back from the President’s statement at the G20 Summit regarding Indonesia’s energy transition commitment. It creates uncertainty for the public, financial institutions, and the private sector that are moving toward renewable energy,” Tata said.
Renewable Energy Portion in RUPTL Called Misleading
PLN claims that 76 percent of the new generation capacity will come from renewable energy and storage systems, including 42.6 GW of green power (61 percent) and 10.3 GW of storage (15 percent). However, the plan also includes 500 megawatts (MW) of nuclear power between 2032 and 2033, with 250 MW planned for Sumatra and another 250 MW for Kalimantan.
At the same time, PLN is planning to add 6.3 GW of coal-fired power and 10.3 GW of gas power, which make up 24 percent of the total additional generation capacity.
Urgent Need for a RUPTL Revision Aligned with Green Industrialization
Tata emphasized the importance of aligning the RUPTL with Indonesia’s green industrialization agenda. He suggested that the country should focus on developing local industries such as solar panel manufacturing, battery production, and electric vehicles in order to drive sustainable economic growth and job creation.
“We need consistent policy, and that includes a RUPTL that no longer includes new fossil fuel power plants,” he added.
RUPTL Discourages Investment in Renewable Energy
Bhima Yudhistira, Executive Director of the Centre of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS), said the RUPTL accommodates fossil energy interests more than it supports renewable energy development.
“Investors and financing institutions in the renewable energy sector will be confused by this RUPTL, as it shows the government lacks a bold energy transition plan. If they want to develop local component industries for solar panels and batteries, it won’t work if the focus is still on expensive coal-based technologies,” Bhima said.
He also questioned whether the RUPTL supports the government's economic growth targets.
“Will this RUPTL help us achieve 8 percent growth? I don’t think so. The only solution is for the government to revise the RUPTL and eliminate plans for new fossil power plants,” he concluded.
Fossil Dependency Creates Long-Term Risks
Sartika Nur Shalati, Policy Strategist at CERAH, warned that continued investment in fossil fuel power generation could lock Indonesia into a dirty energy system for decades. Gas-fired power plants typically have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years and are usually followed by infrastructure investments such as pipelines and LNG terminals, long-term gas contracts, increased imports, and government subsidies under fixed gas pricing schemes.
“Once the infrastructure is built and capital is sunk, it becomes very difficult for governments or operators to shut it down early without substantial compensation,” Sartika explained.
Expanding Coal Use Will Delay Regional Transitions
Sartika also criticized the decision to add more coal-fired plants despite their current dominance of over 70 percent of total installed capacity. She argued that this strategy would prevent coal-dependent regions from pursuing alternative economic paths.
“Adding coal plants today is like pouring fuel on a burning house. We should be phasing out coal, but this RUPTL creates new space for it. Even without additions, coal plants continue to grow quietly through captive power arrangements,” she added.
This approach creates structural and economic dependence on fossil fuels that is difficult to break.
“It creates incentives to extend the life of fossil operations beyond what is considered acceptable in climate scenarios. We are repeating the same trap that makes it so hard to end Indonesia’s coal dependency,” Sartika said.
Media Contacts
Sartika Nur Shalati
Policy Strategist, CERAH
+62 822-6113-8244Tata Mustasya
Executive Director, Indonesian Foundation for Sustainable Welfare (SUSTAIN)
+62 812-9626-997Bhima Yudhistira
Executive Director, Centre of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS)
+62 813-1816-8622
