Enviro News Asia, Cebu — Bahlil Lahadalia accompanied Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Cebu, Philippines, as Indonesia intensified efforts to strengthen regional energy resilience through diversification and renewable energy development amid global geopolitical uncertainty.
Bahlil stated that ASEAN solidarity is essential to maintaining regional energy security, particularly as the global energy market continues to face instability and supply disruptions. According to him, diversification has become a strategic necessity to ensure countries maintain reliable access to energy from multiple sources.
“The global energy situation remains uncertain. We must diversify our energy sources so that when one source becomes difficult to obtain, we still have alternatives. Indonesia is fortunate to possess abundant alternative energy resources beyond fossil fuels, which are strategically important for our energy resilience,” Bahlil said on the sidelines of the summit in Cebu on Friday.
Indonesia, which possesses significant renewable energy potential, has accelerated several strategic initiatives to strengthen national energy independence. These include the development of 100 gigawatts of solar power plants, the expansion of the biodiesel mandate toward a 50 percent blend, and increased adoption of electric vehicles.
President Prabowo delivered a similar message during the ASEAN plenary session, emphasizing that Southeast Asian nations must prepare proactively for potential long-term disruptions in global energy supply chains.
“Energy diversification is no longer an option. It is essential and necessary. We must move faster toward alternative energy sources and prepare renewable energy systems,” President Prabowo stated.
Indonesia also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting ASEAN’s transition toward a cleaner, more sustainable, and independent regional energy system. The President encouraged ASEAN member states to strengthen cooperation in building a more resilient regional energy architecture capable of responding to global dynamics and future crises.
The summit highlighted growing regional consensus on the importance of renewable energy development, cross-border cooperation, and sustainable infrastructure as ASEAN countries work to balance economic growth with long-term energy security and climate resilience. (*)
