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This report by Trend Asia examines the role of large conglomerates, state-owned enterprises, and politically connected corporations in Indonesia's energy transition, specifically focusing on the development of energy plantation forests (HTE) for biomass co-firing in coal-fired power plants (PLTU). The document argues that the transition is being dominated by powerful actors with a history of deforestation and land conflict, potentially leading to a 'carbon debt' and further environmental degradation.

Trend Asia provides a critical analysis of the fourth vice-presidential debate of the 2024 Indonesian election, arguing that the candidates' commitments to energy transition are counterproductive and lack necessary legal and socio-economic safeguards for communities and the environment.

A report by Trend Asia and Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) investigating potential fraud and irregularities in the procurement of tear gas equipment by the Indonesian National Police (Polri) between 2013 and 2022.

This report by Trend Asia analyzes the environmental risks associated with PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara's (PLN) co-firing policy, which mixes biomass with coal in power plants. The author argues that the massive land requirements for energy plantation forests (HTE) to supply wood pellets will likely lead to significant deforestation, contradicting Indonesia's climate commitments.

Trend Asia reports that PT PLN's plan for 10% biomass co-firing in 107 coal power plants could drive massive deforestation in Indonesia. The report estimates a need for up to 2.33 million hectares of energy wood plantations, which, based on historical trends, could result in the loss of over 1 million hectares of natural forest. It highlights contradictions in Indonesia's climate targets and argues that biomass is not a carbon-neutral energy source due to the resulting 'carbon debt'.

This report by Trend Asia challenges claims made by PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) regarding the effectiveness of biomass co-firing in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The analysis suggests that the transition to biomass, particularly wood pellets, may actually increase total emissions due to deforestation and the carbon debt created by replacing natural forests with energy plantations.

This research paper by Trend Asia critiques the Indonesian state electricity company's (PT PLN) claim that biomass co-firing in coal-fired power plants reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The author argues that the strategy increases overall emissions due to deforestation required for energy timber plantations and fails to reduce actual coal consumption.

This fact sheet from the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) outlines strategies for integrating local knowledge with scientific data to support climate compatible development. It emphasizes that while local governments often lack high-quality information, they can bridge these gaps by training staff, engaging communities through dialogue, and establishing systems to manage and sustain local knowledge.

This case study examines the challenges and opportunities for decentralized renewable energy development in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, emphasizing the need for institutional reforms, multi-stakeholder partnerships, and integrated spatial planning.

This fact sheet, produced by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) in October 2016, provides guidance on framing climate compatible development to ensure it is adopted into local political agendas. Based on experiences from South and Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, it outlines five key strategies for sustainability: securing cross-party political consensus, linking climate action to development goals, aligning climate measures with sectoral objectives, utilizing local and national 'champions', and designing initiatives to benefit marginalized social groups.

This fact sheet, published by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) in October 2016, outlines five strategic lessons for local governments to establish successful partnerships for climate compatible development. Based on experiences from South and Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, the document emphasizes the importance of strategic partner selection, the inclusion of marginalized and opposing groups, the use of local knowledge brokers, and the necessity of ensuring mutual benefit for all participants.

This case study examines the challenges and opportunities for decentralized renewable energy development in Nusa Tenggara Barat, Indonesia. It highlights the gap between the province's high renewable potential—specifically in mini-hydro—and its actual installed capacity, while analyzing the technical, policy, and institutional barriers facing Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and community-led projects.

This case study analyzes renewable energy development in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, where significant mini-hydro potential (96.5 MW) exists despite current shortages and grid limitations. It highlights the role of national feed-in tariffs and the state electricity company (PLN) in attracting independent power producers. The authors conclude that successful subnational energy security requires a Public–Private–People Partnership (PPPP) approach, continuous capacity building for provincial governments, and the integration of mini-hydro planning with forest conservation.

This report examines the challenges and opportunities for subnational renewable energy development in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. It highlights that while the region has significant mini-hydro potential, development is hindered by a combination of technical, institutional, and policy barriers, including land acquisition issues, slow asset transfers, and poor coordination between on-grid and off-grid electricity supply. The document advocates for a Public-Private-People Partnership (PPPP) approach and improved capacity building at the provincial level to unlock investment from Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and community-level producers.

This special edition of the Climate and Development Outlook by CDKN outlines Indonesia's climate change mitigation efforts, including its emissions targets, the establishment of the Indonesia Climate Change Trust Fund, and CDKN's support for climate-compatible development in the energy sector and forest conservation.

This report examines food security in Indonesia, arguing that food insecurity is driven by a lack of access and affordability rather than a lack of domestic supply. It highlights the impact of the 2007/08 global food crisis and critiques the government's focus on self-sufficiency over accessibility.

This 2010 report examines food security in Indonesia, arguing that the country's focus on food self-sufficiency (Swasembada Pangan) has neglected the critical issue of food access. While national food supplies were adequate during the 2007/08 global food crisis, poor infrastructure and low incomes led to severe food insecurity in remote regions, particularly in East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, and the Special Region of Yogyakarta. The report recommends shifting policy toward improving food access, investing in transportation infrastructure, and promoting food diversification.

This policy brief argues that small-scale Independent Power Producers (IPPs) are critical for Indonesia to meet its growing electricity demand and renewable energy targets. While the government has implemented feed-in-tariffs (FIT) to create a business case for these projects, significant barriers remain in finance, permitting, and grid operation. The document recommends a policy package providing technical and financial support to IPPs, banks, and government authorities to reduce risks and lower project costs.

This briefing note by the International Institute for Sustainable Development examines the impact of fossil-fuel subsidy reforms on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesia. It argues that while SMEs are generally less energy-intensive than large enterprises, they are more vulnerable to price shocks due to lower coping capacities and a heavy reliance on low-income consumers who are most affected by fuel-driven inflation.

This report by Trend Asia examines the implementation of biomass co-firing in Indonesia's coal-firing power plants (PLTU), arguing that the energy transition is being 'hijacked' by powerful conglomerates and politically connected elites. The document details how these actors utilize energy wood plantations (HTE) to profit from government incentives while causing deforestation and land conflicts with indigenous and local communities.