Renewable Energy Momentum

KOMPAS/SUCIPTO

Two people stand next to a solar panel installation on 23 Nov. 2019 in Muara Enggelam village of Muara Wis, Kutai Kartanegara regency, East Kalimantan. The people of Enggelam have enjoyed 24-hour electricity since the 42 kilowatt-peak (kWp) solar panels were installed.

The government\'s plan to continue coal gasification seems to be less in line with the plan of countries that are shifting to renewable energy.

According to the head of the bureau of communication, public information services and cooperation of the Energy and Mineral Resources Minister,Agung Pribadi, the view that coal gasification is not economical is refuted by the fact that technological advances have made renewable energy cheaper. For example, solar energy, which was originally 10 US cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) has now been offered at 4 to 5 cents per kWh. This is also expected to apply to coal gasification, a process that converts coal into gas that can be used for various lighting and transportation purposes.