UGM is committed to develop research in gas, new, and renewable energy to accelerate the realisation of energy independence. Vice Rector for Research and Community Service, Prof. Dr. Suratman, M.Sc, said in the Indonesian Industry Research Forum (IIRF) in Jakarta on Wednesday (5/11) to realise its commitments, UGM not only conducts research, but also build networks with government and industry.
Director General for New and Renewable Energy, Ir. Rida Mulyana, M.Sc., appreciated UGM commitment, saying that energy issue has to be immediately handled besides food and water.
“Energy has the central role in social, economic, and environment aspects,” said Rida. To meet the challenge, cooperation is required from academicians, industry, government, and society.
Response from Industry
Meanwhile, business players from PGN, Samator, Wika Industri Energi, and Prosympac, share the view that Indonesia has adequate resource for energy independence. Andi Nugraha, Director of WIKA Industri Energi, said that solar potential Indonesia was immense with production average around 1,500 Mio. kWh per 1 MW PV power.
Arif Rochman, Director of Prosympac, saw the opportunities for palm oil industry to build renewable energy resource, adding that Indonesia is the top producer of palm oil in the world with over 600 units of PKS and CPO production at over 22 millions of tonnes per year.
However, Deputy Director of Financial Service Authorities (OJK), Edi Setiawan, said energy independence has to go side by side with financial policy support. The Authorities now encourages banks not to do greedy financing but green financing.
During the event, signing of an MoU was also done between UGM, PT Prosympac, and PT. Grahatekno Media in education, research and community service as well as downstreaming of applied research.