Higher education institutions play a crucial role in supporting energy security and accelerating the energy transition toward Net Zero Emissions (NZE) by 2060. According to a report by J.P. Morgan, Indonesia ranks second among 52 countries in terms of energy security amid global geopolitical uncertainty. To maintain this standing and achieve optimal outcomes, collaboration among the government, industry, and academia is essential to ensure energy remains both affordable and environmentally sustainable.
These issues were highlighted during the Connecting Generation Discussion, organized by Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) and Garuda TV at the Joglo of the UGM Innovation and Creativity Hub (GIK UGM). The speakers included Dr. Satya Widya Yudha, Member of the Stakeholders Council of the National Energy Council; Mochamad Soleh, General Manager of PLN’s Research and Development Center; and UGM energy expert Dr. Ahmad Agus Setiawan.
Dr. Satya Widya Yudha presented data showing Indonesia’s current energy security score at 7.13 out of 10. According to him, this figure is considered strong, placing Indonesia in the energy-secure category. He explained that the score is measured using four main indicators: supply availability, infrastructure accessibility, price affordability, and environmental sustainability.
“In simple terms, energy security depends first on supply availability. Then there must be infrastructure to deliver energy to users, which relates to accessibility. Most importantly, energy must be affordable. Finally, environmental considerations must also be taken into account,” he explained.
Dr. Yudha further noted that Indonesia is currently in a transitional phase that requires balancing fossil energy security with the development of new and renewable energy (NRE). He emphasized that national energy policy, as outlined in Government Regulation No. 40 of 2025, has established a legal framework enabling university research to be integrated into government programs. He therefore encouraged students to fill these strategic roles.
“The energy transition must be supported by sufficient human resources. Our policy direction requires qualified professionals produced by strong higher education institutions,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mochamad Soleh, General Manager of PLN’s Research and Development Center, explained that PLN has set ambitious targets in its latest Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL). By 2033, 70 percent of electricity generation is targeted to come from renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, hydropower, and biomass, through co-firing at coal-fired power plants.
“It can be said that PLN’s power plants are being optimized to utilize all available clean energy sources. Currently, 5 percent of coal has already been replaced with biomass. The two are blended and used in coal-fired power plants. This proportion will gradually increase to achieve zero emissions through carbon capture and storage technology,” he explained.
According to Soleh, the future electricity industry will require not only conventional workers but also individuals with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. He encouraged students to combine core technical competencies with digital literacy. This, he said, would help ensure that research innovations can be adopted by industry more quickly.
“When the industry is ready, you must be ready to fill those positions. We must not allow opportunities to emerge while the younger generation remains unprepared. Universities must also prepare both competencies and research,” he said.
Responding to the growing need for energy research, UGM energy expert Dr. Ahmad Agus Setiawan emphasized that the energy transition is a multidisciplinary effort requiring contributions from various fields, ranging from technology and finance to law and social engineering. During the discussion, Dr. Setiawan, commonly known as Aas, said the biggest challenge for students today is bringing innovation beyond the laboratory so it does not remain confined to the ivory tower.
“In 2060, you will be at the peak of your professional careers. The world is moving in that direction. Polluting technologies are gradually being abandoned. In the future, everything will revolve around new renewable energy. There is an opportunity there; take it. The approach needed moving forward is multidisciplinary,” he concluded.
Author: Aldi Firmansyah
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photos: Salwa