Enviro News Asia, Jakarta – The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) is striving to achieve a fair and equitable energy transition. One of the efforts made is the launch of the fourth cohort of the Patriot Energi Program.
This program is the result of a strategic collaboration between the Directorate General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBTKE) and the People-Centered Economic and Business Initiative Foundation (IBEKA).
According to an official statement from the MEMR, the program is designed to empower the nation’s best young talents as facilitators of clean energy in the 4T regions (Frontier, Outermost, Disadvantaged, and Transmigration areas).
“Energy transition is not just an option, including for Indonesia. It is a necessity to address climate change challenges, maintain energy security, and create a greener and more just future for the next generations,” said EBTKE Director General Eniya Listiani Dewi at the launch of the fourth cohort of the Patriot Energi Program on Monday (June 2, 2025).
Eniya emphasized that accelerating the utilization of new and renewable energy (NRE) is a major challenge that must be addressed to support the national energy transition.
Although Indonesia’s NRE potential exceeds 3,600 GW, its current utilization stands at only around 15.6 GW, mainly from hydro, bioenergy, geothermal, solar, and wind power.
Meanwhile, despite the national electrification ratio reaching 99.83% in Q1 of 2025, there are still around 5,700 villages and 1.3 million households without access to electricity from PLN.
As part of the energy transition acceleration strategy, the government aims to develop 42.6 GW of renewable energy power plants over the next 10 years, including 10.3 GW of energy storage systems.
This is where the Patriot Energi Program plays a vital role in assisting communities in building and managing renewable energy facilities sustainably.
“We realize that energy access is not only about electricity availability, but also concerns dignity, pride, and the future of communities. Just energy means no citizen is left behind. It is with this spirit that Patriot Energi was born and continues to be strengthened through its fourth cohort today. Patriot Energi serves as a bridge to realizing energy justice throughout the country,” explained Eniya.
More than just technical personnel, the energy patriots will also educate communities, map local energy potential, and help establish independent and resilient energy management organizations.
“Patriot Energi is not merely a placement program, but a movement of service. Be pioneers who not only ignite lights, but also spark the spirit of learning, empowerment, and awakening in communities,” Eniya concluded.
On the same occasion, IBEKA Chairperson Tri Mumpuni explained that the implementation of the fourth cohort of the Patriot Energi Program follows a Cooperation Agreement (PKS) signed between the Directorate General of EBTKE and IBEKA in July 2024.
The program has previously been held three times — in 2015, 2016, and 2021 — with each cohort consisting of dozens to nearly a hundred participants.
“The implementation of the Patriot Energi Program carries different objectives and outcomes in each cohort, but they are all rooted in one main goal: achieving equitable development through access to electricity based on renewable energy and local potential,” said Tri Mumpuni.
Recruitment for the fourth cohort took place from October to November 2024 and attracted 1,459 applicants from 38 provinces.
After going through a selection process involving administrative, substantive, competency, and health assessments, 32 Patriots from 14 provinces were selected.
The training phase runs from April to July 2025 and includes field training (live-in) in four villages in the Subang region.
Participants have been equipped through both online and offline training covering four core competencies: technical skills, patriotism, community engagement, and sincerity.
The 32 Patriots will then be deployed as facilitators for community assistance and empowerment, assigned to Eastern Indonesia, especially in Papua, focusing on villages that still lack access to electricity. (*)
