Business · Energy & Commodities · 4 hrs ago
Indonesia Says It Cannot Export Electricity Anytime Soon
Indonesia is not ready to export electricity because it still needs power for domestic use, Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said.
He made the announcement in Jakarta while opening the 2026 Mineral and Coal Convention and Exhibition.
Bahlil said export permits belong to the energy ministry, and warned the state investment agency Danantara not to be swayed by lobbying from potential importing countries.
Danantara was appointed by President Prabowo Subianto to implement a planned cross-border electricity trade deal with Singapore.
The proposed deal involves green electricity, but Indonesia and Singapore were still negotiating its price in July, with balanced economic benefits a stated aim.
Price talks remain key to the deal, and no export start date was given.
Bahlil said Indonesia’s sovereignty and national interests must come first in any export arrangement.
Indonesia will not export electricity anytime soon because it still needs the power, Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said.
Bahlil said electricity export permits are issued by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, not Danantara.
He warned Danantara against lobbying by countries seeking to import Indonesian electricity.
Bahlil said national sovereignty and interests must come first in any export decision.
In July 2026, Indonesia was negotiating with Singapore over the price of planned green electricity exports.
- Who
- Coordinating Minister for Downstream and Energy Transition Bahlil Lahadalia made the announcement.
- What
- Indonesia will not export electricity anytime soon because it still needs the electricity.
- When
- November 2, 2026.
- Where
- At the opening of the 2026 Mineral and Coal Convention and Exhibition in Jakarta.
- Why
- Indonesia still needs electricity, and Bahlil said national sovereignty and interests must come first.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Bahlil said Indonesia was negotiating with Singapore over the price of green electricity exports.
Bahlil said Indonesia would not export electricity anytime soon at an event in Jakarta.
- Minister
- Bahlil Lahadalia
- Event
- 2026 Mineral and Coal Convention and Exhibition
- Location
- Jakarta
- Export permit authority
- Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources
- Potential export partner
- Singapore
4 sources
What people are saying
We need the electricity,
I've told Danantara, don't let them lobby you. There's no such thing. The permit rests with the energy ministry, not Danantara,
As soon as things show some cracks, they move out of line,