Jakarta: Indonesia has unveiled its ambition to become a leading carbon storage hub in the Asia-Pacific region, aiming to unlock vast investment opportunities in the renewable energy sector.

According to Edi Wibowo, Director of Bioenergy at the Directorate General of Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation, Indonesia holds the capacity to store approximately 572.77 gigatons of carbon in natural reservoirs and an additional 4.85 gigatons in depleted oil and gas fields.

“Based on this, Indonesia has a high potential to become a regional carbon storage service hub,” Wibowo said.

He emphasized that carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology would play a vital role in curbing emissions from the power generation, transportation, and industrial sectors, aligning with Indonesia’s national plan for greenhouse gas reduction.

Wibowo also highlighted the country’s untapped renewable energy potential of over 3,680 gigawatts, of which only 0.3% has been utilized to date. The government, he said, is now actively promoting investment in clean energy to bridge this gap.

“There is enormous potential for investment and development. We are opening up opportunities for the wide-scale use of renewable sources while ensuring a balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability,” he added.

This strategic shift marks Indonesia's commitment to combatting climate change and transitioning to a low-carbon economy, positioning itself as a key player in the regional energy transformation.