Indonesia’s renewable roadmap and next chapter of Korea-Indonesia relations

Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous nation and Southeast Asia’s largest economy, is preparing one of the region’s most ambitious clean energy transformations. In June 2025, the state utility PLN launched its new Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL) 2025-2034, placing renewable energy at the center of the country’s power future. The scale is striking: nearly 70 gigawatts of new capacity by 2034, with more than three-quarters sourced from renewables and storage.

For Korea, which counts Indonesia as a close partner and home to one of the largest Korean communities abroad, this roadmap opens a decade of opportunities in clean energy cooperation. Indonesia’s long-term direction is clear — it points toward a greener, more resilient future.

RUPTL 2025-2034 marks a turning point. A total of 69.5 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity is planned, and an unprecedented 76 percent will come from renewable energy and storage. Solar alone will expand to 17 GW, while wind, hydro and geothermal are also being scaled up. Energy storage systems, including pumped hydro and large-scale batteries, will play a crucial balancing role.

Perhaps most transformative is the plan’s “Green Enabling Super Grid” — nearly 48,000 circuit kilometers of new transmission lines designed to connect renewable-rich islands to demand centers such as Java and Sumatra. This modernization, coupled with smart grid and storage integration, will raise solar and wind capacity from around 5 GW today to 27 GW by 2034.

Electricity demand in Indonesia is projected to reach 511 terawatt-hours by 2034, driven by rapid industrialization, downstream resource processing, digital infrastructure and the electrification of transport. This means a dynamic and expanding market for foreign investors.

Korea has world-class strengths across the clean energy value chain. Its advancements in solar technology, advanced batteries and smart grids align directly with Indonesia’s priorities under RUPTL.

Equally important, Korea has made significant progress in carbon capture and storage (CCS), a highly relevant technology for Indonesia as it seeks to decarbonize coal-fired plants and energy-intensive industries. Korean expertise in CCS research, engineering and pilot deployment can complement Indonesia’s renewable expansion.

Indonesia’s energy transition is also a political priority. In his speech at the United Nations General Assembly this September, President Prabowo Subianto stressed, “From next year, most of our additional power generation capacity will come from renewables.”

This statement, delivered on the global stage, underscores that Indonesia’s renewable agenda is already in motion and signals policy continuity at the highest level.

Energy cooperation can become a defining feature of Korea-Indonesia relations. Beyond trade and investment, the partnership has been enriched by people-to-people connections in culture and education. Expanding collaboration in renewable energy and exploring joint work in CCS would bring tangible benefits to both sides.

This fall, the bilateral relationship will gain a new platform. President Lee Jae Myung has invited President Prabowo Subianto to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Gyeongju later this month. In their first meeting in Korea, energy cooperation is expected to feature prominently in the discussions.

Indonesia’s energy story is moving toward renewables, supported by clear planning, political commitment and growing demand. RUPTL 2025-2034 is more than a technical plan — it is an invitation to invest in the region’s largest clean energy market.

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This article by Alland Dharmawan first appeared in Korea Times on 19 October 2025. It is featured here as part of our Member Publications archive.