Indonesia is aiming for cleaner energy through bold nuclear power plans and grappling with increasing environmental concerns including rising deforestation rates. President Prabowo Subianto's government has announced plans to build nuclear power plants with about 4.3 gigawatts (GW) capacity, as part of efforts to transition away from fossil fuels.
Hashim Djojohadikusumo, Prabowo's brother and adviser, revealed the plans during a sustainability forum, olding, “This is all an answer to the challenges posed by climate change.” Currently, over half of Indonesia's power is sourced from coal, with less than 15% coming from renewables, and the country has no existing nuclear capacity, making the nuclear initiative both controversial and ambitious, particularly in regions prone to seismic activity.
Although nuclear power is viewed as a solution to cut carbon emissions, it is not without challenges—primarily the management of toxic waste it produces. Critics have also pointed to Indonesia's reliance on coal, which poses significant emissions problems. Djojohadikusumo criticized the G7's Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), which pledged $20 billion to help Indonesia cut its emissions, stating, “JETP is a failed program.”
At the same time, Indonesia faces dire environmental challenges as deforestation has continued to rise. Based on satellite data and field research, the local environmental NGO Auriga Nusantara reported on February 1, 2025, noting deforestation had climbed for the third consecutive year, with over 261,575 hectares (646,366 acres) of forest lost just last year.
This environmental crisis is primarily driven by expansion of timber plantations, palm oil production, and increasing mining activities for extraction of minerals. “It is worrying, as it shows the increase of legal deforestation,” chair of Auriga Nusantara, Timer Manurung, commented. He has called for urgent action to protect forests, especially as construction begins for Indonesia's new capital.
On the other end of the conversation, Ade Tri Ajikusumah from Indonesia’s environment and forestry ministry acknowledged the criticisms but pointed out the government’s perspective. He stated, “We are now working to maximise land use,” emphasizing the replanting efforts connected to forest lands already designated for development.
Reports indicate the majority of deforestation occurred within areas designated by the government for development purposes, particularly the new capital being constructed on the island of Kalimantan. Alarmingly, regional governments are proposing to open hundreds of thousands of hectares for potential development, raising red flags for environmental groups who fear for the biodiversity at stake.
Pressure continues to mount from environmental activists urging President Prabowo to enact stricter regulations against deforestation, namely issuing directives to protect all remaining natural forests. Reflecting the urgency of these ecological concerns, Manurung remarked, “We ask President Prabowo to issue a presidential regulation to protect all remaining natural forest.”
While the Indonesian government seeks to boost food and energy self-sufficiency through various strategies, including the promotion of bio-based fuels, experts warn these initiatives could devastate the country’s delicate forest ecosystems.
The deforestation crisis extends across nearly all of Indonesia’s territories except for the Jakarta region, with significant losses reported particularly on the islands where rich biodiversity thrives, such as Raja Ampat. Here, illegal nickel mining activities are exacerbated the agricultural encroachment, threatening fragile ecosystems known for their coral reefs.
Regulations concerning biomass energy production and its reliance on wood also raise concerns among conservationists, as forest land is being cleared to plant quick-growing species for energy production. The focus on increasing domestic biomass energy use and exports has led to discussions around environmental sustainability and the long-term impact on the ecosystem.
The juxtaposition of ambitious clean energy proposals and alarming deforestation rates paints a complex picture of Indonesia’s environmental policy. Stakeholders from both government and environmentalist sectors must converge on functional strategies to balance energy needs with ecological preservation, ensuring Indonesia's rich biodiversity is safeguarded for future generations. The need for decisive action is clearer than ever as pressures on resources mount amid the ever-looming threat of climate change.