Abu dhabi: Indonesia has urged Southeast Asian nations to tap into the abundant renewable energy resources available in the region to bolster energy resilience. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto emphasized the importance of this initiative during his speech at the Special Summit of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) held in Cebu, Philippines.
According to Emirates News Agency, President Subianto highlighted the region's vast renewable energy resources, including hydropower, solar, and wind energy, as well as fertile land that remains underutilized. He posed a critical question to ASEAN members, asking if they are prepared to leverage these resources not only to satisfy local energy needs but also to contribute to the broader energy transition within ASEAN.
President Subianto called for concrete actions to expand clean energy projects across Southeast Asia, citing specific initiatives such as the hydropower development in Borneo, solar energy projects in Palawan, and wind energy developments in coastal areas. He also outlined Indonesia's efforts to accelerate solar energy development, with plans to construct 100 gigawatts (GW) of solar power capacity.
"Our energy transition is moving at full speed. We are building 100 GW of solar power plants. Together, let us improve our energy infrastructure. BIMP-EAGA has enormous potential," he stated, emphasizing the urgency and potential of regional collaboration in advancing clean energy initiatives.