Hydrogen investment accelerates Indonesia’s clean energy transition and transport ambitions
Indonesia is accelerating the development of a green hydrogen ecosystem to strengthen energy security, reduce carbon emissions, and position the country as a future hydrogen hub in Asia. The initiative forms part of the Indonesian government’s broader clean energy transition strategy and long-term goal of achieving energy self-sufficiency.
Speaking at the Global Hydrogen Ecosystem Summit & Exhibition (GHES) 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, said hydrogen-powered vehicles could compete with battery electric vehicles (EVs) within the next five to 10 years as production costs decline and hydrogen technology matures.
A key pillar of the strategy is producing green hydrogen using renewable electricity from Indonesia’s planned 100-gigawatt (GW) solar power expansion. Excess electricity generated during periods of low grid demand can be converted into hydrogen, improving renewable energy utilization while reducing reliance on battery storage.
Minister Bahlil said geopolitical uncertainty, tighter global oil supplies, and rising energy demand could make hydrogen increasingly cost-competitive with conventional fuels while reducing Indonesia’s dependence on imported fossil energy.
To support commercial deployment, Indonesia’s state-owned electricity company PT PLN (Persero) and Indonesia’s state-owned energy company PT Pertamina (Persero) have established hydrogen refueling stations and are preparing hydrogen-powered public transport. President Director of PT PLN (Persero), Darmawan Prasodjo, said the company produces around 200 tons of hydrogen annually, of which only 75 tons are used internally, leaving significant surplus capacity for transportation and industrial applications.
Meanwhile, Director General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation at Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Eniya Listiani Dewi, said the ministry is overseeing 93 hydrogen ecosystem projects worth Rp32 trillion (approximately US$2.05 billion), covering hydrogen production, storage, refueling infrastructure, and pilot transportation projects. The government has also launched Indonesia’s first Hydrogen Diesel Dual Fuel (H2 DDF) bus demonstration with state-owned operator Perum DAMRI.
Indonesia is also developing a 194-kilometer Green Hydrogen Corridor connecting Jakarta, Karawang, and Patimban to integrate hydrogen production, logistics, refueling stations, ports, and industrial estates into a unified low-carbon supply chain.
Beyond green hydrogen, the government is exploring naturally occurring white hydrogen, with Central Sulawesi identified as a priority exploration area. Supported by expanding infrastructure, national policy, and growing regional demand, Indonesia aims to become a leading producer, trading hub, and innovation center for hydrogen in Asia while advancing its 2060 net-zero emissions target.
Source: ANTARA News
