Project to Strengthen Energy Transition in Indonesia Kicks Off
The goal of the Energy Transition Business and Change Management Project, led by the Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) is to empower Indonesia’s State Electricity Company / Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) to effectively spearhead the country's energy transition towards cleaner energy sources and a sustainable energy future. By supporting PLN’s efforts to cultivate a diverse talent pool equipped with cutting edge skills and core competencies, the project seeks to usher in a new cadre of technical professionals, leaders and decision makers at PLN that can effectively guide the company’s transformation of Indonesia’s electricity sector. Beyond assisting PLN to develop and improve its business strategies and workforce, the project’s success will ultimately contribute toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening Indonesia's commitment to climate action and sustainable development.
As part of a wider restructuring conducted in October 2022, PLN established a new energy transition division to streamline and bolster the company’s capacity and preparedness for Indonesia’s energy transition. The Energy Transition Business and Change Management Centre of Excellence in Indonesia will support PLN as it embarks on a series of capacity-building and change management programmes to advance the energy transition. The project empowers PLN to create a new value proposition by developing new skills and core competencies, closing the skills gaps in the clean energy transition, and capitalizing on new business opportunities. It will focus on developing PLN’s capacity in relevant and emerging technical areas as well as across a number of cross-cutting themes such as leadership, business development and strategic management.
"We are committed to supporting Indonesia’s energy transition by working with PLN to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve a sustainable and inclusive transformation. This partnership aligns with the principles of a just energy transition and underscores our dedication to fostering collaboration, innovation, and gender equality as essential pillars of a low-carbon future for Indonesia." Philip Rose – Director of Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership (ETP).
This project is funded through the Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership a programme of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and will be delivered by a consortium of esteemed international and local implementing partners: Aquatera Ltd; Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Center for Human Resource Development for Electricity, New and Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (PPSDM KEBTKE); Heriot Watt University (HWU); and Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS). Leveraging its long-standing partnerships and networks, the consortium draws from a wealth of experience and expertise from within the country, regionally and globally. This includes deep-embedded links with industry-based energy transition practitioners in the UK, Europe and the UAE as well as within the Indonesian development community, with a proven track record of implementing innovative and effective solutions to support an inclusive energy transition.
"We are honoured to lead this pivotal initiative, where our powerhouse consortium – combining deep-rooted local and global knowledge and expertise – joins forces with PLN, in a strategic partnership to supercharge Indonesia’s energy transition. Our shared goal is to support PLN’s leadership and staff in driving the transformation of Indonesia’s electricity sector towards a resilient low-carbon future. Grounded in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and just energy transition principles, this capacity-building initiative provides a conducive platform for exchanging knowledge on innovative best practices from Indonesia and internationally in an approach that prioritises the inclusion, representation and participatory engagement of PLN staff." - [Dr Leuserina Garniati], Director of Aquatera Ltd.
The project has four main outputs, of which 3 capacity building programmes will be developed: Business and Change Management Centre of Excellence; Energy Transition Training for PLN’s Employees; and Exposure to International Best Practices and Standards. The project has been designed to strengthen PLN’s capacity to lead Indonesia's energy transition through knowledge exchanges in energy transition leadership, technical training in prioritised energy transition thematic areas, and participatory sessions on global best practices, using blended learning to foster an inclusive, skilled workforce aligned with national climate goals.
Gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) considerations will be embedded throughout each of these programmes, reflecting its vital importance in achieving a just transition to clean energy. It is an exciting opportunity to demonstrate GESI principles in energy transition practice, by providing GESI role models and leadership in the project’s design and technical delivery, and in the broader implementation of Indonesia’s just energy transition pathways. An integral part of the project’s GESI outputs is a gender gap analysis that will be undertaken to identify current gender disparities in PLN’s workforce and recommend initiatives to strengthen the active participation and empowerment of PLN’s female staff in the energy transition.
Recognising the need for an enabling policy environment, the project also dedicates resources to facilitate PLN’s engagement and collaboration with the diverse ecosystem of key players in Indonesia’s energy sector, including technology leaders, universities, investors, development banks, and end-to-end power businesses, among others.
