Data from Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), released in October 2024, shows that 67% of the country’s electricity generation still relies on coal.
Additionally, the BP Statistical Review of World Energy ranks Indonesia sixth globally in terms of coal reserves. This abundant availability has made coal a key component of the national energy mix.
However, this heavy dependence on coal is concerning, given its significant environmental impact due to high carbon emissions.
At a time when the world is actively pursuing cleaner, renewable energy alternatives, this reliance raises important questions.
So, if we are to transition away from coal, what alternative energy sources should we be considering?
Why Do We Need to Move Away from Coal?
Coal has long played a critical role in powering industry and infrastructure. But the environmental cost is simply too high to ignore.
Extracting coal involves clearing forests, destroying natural habitats, and causing soil erosion and land degradation. These destructive processes pose a serious threat to biodiversity.
Worse still, coal is one of the biggest contributors to climate change. Burning coal releases massive amounts of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, which drives global warming and disrupts the climate system.
Read More: Why Switching to Green Energy Matters and How It Impacts the Planet?
What Are the Alternatives to Coal?
Today, several alternative energy sources are being explored and developed both globally and in Indonesia. These alternatives are cleaner and more sustainable, making them ideal replacements for coal.
1. LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas)
LNG is a versatile fuel that can power electricity plants and industrial operations. Its biggest advantage is scalability—LNG can meet large-scale energy needs, and infrastructure for its transport and use is already in place, making it a practical short-to-medium-term substitute for coal.
Read More: What’s the Difference Between LPG and LNG? A Clear Breakdown
2. Solar Energy
Solar power harnesses energy from the sun—a virtually limitless resource. Indonesia, being a tropical country, enjoys abundant sunshine throughout the year. Solar panels can convert sunlight into electricity for both residential and industrial use.
3. Hydropower
Hydropower uses flowing water from rivers or dams to spin turbines and generate electricity. This method is already widely used in hydroelectric power plants (PLTA) and offers a renewable and steady energy supply with minimal emissions.
Read More: What’s Driving the Surge in Electricity Demand in the Modern Era?
4. Wind Energy
Like water, wind can turn turbines to produce clean electricity. Countries like Denmark and the Netherlands have successfully adopted wind energy on a large scale, proving its reliability and long-term value.
5. Geothermal Energy
Beneath the Earth’s surface lies a vast reservoir of heat that can be tapped as geothermal energy. Indonesia, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, has immense geothermal potential—enough to power millions of homes and industries sustainably.
Read More: Why the Energy Crisis Poses a Serious Threat to the Global Economy?
Why LNG Stands Out as a Promising Replacement for Coal?
Coal combustion will always be associated with high carbon emissions and toxic pollutants. That’s why there’s growing urgency to find an energy source that is not only cleaner but also immediately usable on a large scale. This is where LNG shines.
LNG produces significantly less carbon dioxide than coal when burned—helping cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Moreover, LNG is easy to store and transport in liquid form, even to remote or island regions that aren’t connected to gas pipelines. This makes it a flexible and reliable energy option.
Read More: Why LNG Plays a Key Role in the Global Energy Transition?
Energy Transition Strategy from Coal to LNG and Renewable Energy (RE)
To support Indonesia’s ambition of becoming a developed nation by 2045, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has made a strong commitment to providing clean and affordable electricity, in line with the national goal of achieving Net Zero Emissions by 2060.
The government has outlined several key strategies to transition from coal to liquefied natural gas (LNG) and renewable energy (RE), including:
- Accelerating the adoption of diverse and regionally distributed renewable energy sources across the country.
- Diversifying renewable energy sources to ensure energy security.
- Developing energy planning documents with a strong emphasis on renewable energy.
These efforts are expected to progress smoothly if the government works collaboratively with the private sector to accelerate the energy transition and support PLN’s electricity supply initiatives.
LNG vs Coal: A Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Coal | LNG |
| CO₂ Emissions | High | Lower (by 40–50%) |
| Air Pollution | Severe | Minimal |
| Waste Output | Produces ash | Almost none |
| Energy Efficiency | Relatively low | High |
| Infrastructure Readiness | Widely available | Rapidly expanding |
| Long-Term Potential | Limited and environmentally harmful | Ideal for energy transition |
The world cannot afford to keep depending on coal—its environmental and health impacts are too severe.
LNG emerges as a realistic, cleaner, and more cost-efficient alternative that meets current energy needs while supporting long-term sustainability goals.
With growing infrastructure and a solid distribution network, LNG can help power the nation without causing the long-lasting harm coal leaves behind.
