The growing energy demand has pushed us to look for sustainable alternative sources. One of the best options for the future is shifting to New and Renewable Energy (NRE).
This energy source has the potential to replace fossil fuels and is considered far cleaner in terms of emissions. But is it ready to become the main energy source today? Let’s find out.
What Is NRE (New and Renewable Energy)?
NRE refers to energy sources derived from nature or technology that can be utilized sustainably.
These energy sources are more environmentally friendly and serve as an alternative to fossil fuels.
In short, NRE consists of two categories:
- New Energy: Energy produced using advanced technologies, such as nuclear energy and hydrogen.
- Renewable Energy: Energy from natural resources that are replenished naturally and sustainably.
The key advantage of renewable energy is its abundance and relatively low environmental impact, making it a solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address the global energy crisis.
Here are some examples of renewable energy:
- Solar Energy: Harnessing sunlight to generate electricity or heat.
- Wind Energy: Using wind power to turn turbines.
- Hydropower: Utilizing water flow from rivers or dams to generate electricity.
- Biomass: Derived from organic materials such as agricultural waste or organic trash.
- Geothermal Energy: Using heat from within the earth to generate power.
- Ocean Energy: Harnessing waves, tides, or currents to produce energy.
With proper utilization, NRE has huge potential to support the clean energy transition and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Read More: Why Alternative Energy Sources Are Crucial for Our Future!
What Are the Benefits of New and Renewable Energy?
Adopting new and renewable energy brings numerous benefits—environmental, economic, and energy independence. Here are the main advantages:
Eco-Friendly
Renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower produce far fewer carbon emissions than fossil fuels.
By reducing coal and oil consumption, we can significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions, the leading cause of climate change and air pollution. This means cleaner air, better human health, and preserved ecosystems.
Read More: The Truth About Biogas, Eco-Friendly Solution or New Problem?
Unlimited Energy Supply
One of the biggest advantages of renewable energy is its unlimited and sustainable nature. Resources like sunlight, wind, and water are always available and can be used continuously without the fear of depletion.
This stands in stark contrast to fossil fuels, which are finite and rapidly depleting. Investing in renewables is also safer in the long run because it doesn’t rely on fluctuating oil prices.
Boosts Energy Independence
Developing renewable energy domestically reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels. This not only minimizes risks from global price volatility but also improves economic stability.
Moreover, NRE development creates new jobs in green technology, construction, and infrastructure maintenance, supporting sustainable economic growth.
Read More: Factors Driving Increased Electricity Demand in the Modern Era
Challenges in Implementing NRE
Indonesia has enormous potential for developing new and renewable energy, but its adoption still faces various challenges. Here are the main obstacles:
Limited Infrastructure
Developing NRE requires adequate infrastructure, such as reliable transmission and distribution networks.
Currently, many solar power plants and wind power plants are located in remote areas far from electricity load centers. Examples include:
- A solar power plant in Sumba Island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.
- The Sidrap wind power plant is located in Sidenreng Rappang Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia.
- The Jeneponto wind power plant in South Sulawesi, situated in a coastal area far from industrial hubs.
As a result, the energy produced is difficult to distribute efficiently.
Without network upgrades and supporting technology, Indonesia’s abundant NRE potential cannot be fully optimized, slowing down energy transition and energy security efforts.
Read More: 5 Signs of Global Warming Getting Worse
High Upfront Investment
Building renewable energy plants is still relatively expensive compared to fossil-fuel-based plants.
Although operational costs are lower in the long run, the large initial investment discourages many investors.
There are also issues with non-competitive electricity pricing and complex permitting processes, which further hinder NRE development.
Intermittent Supply
Each type of renewable energy has supply characteristics that are influenced by natural conditions, resulting in challenges related to intermittency or instability in electricity supply. For example:
- Solar energy is only available when the sun is shining, so its production decreases at night or during cloudy weather.
- Wind energy depends on wind speed and consistency.
- Hydropower remains vulnerable to fluctuations in water flow due to dry seasons, flooding, or climate change.
- Biomass energy relies heavily on the availability of organic feedstock and efficient logistics for material collection.
- Geothermal energy is limited to locations with geothermal potential.
- Marine energy, such as wave and tidal power, depends on lunar cycles and extreme weather conditions.
This dependency causes renewable energy supply to be variable and not yet fully reliable as a sole energy source.
To address intermittency, supporting technologies such as energy storage systems, smart grids, and digitalization of the electricity system are required.
Read More: The Complete Process of Global Warming, From Start to Impact
LNG: A Stable and Efficient Transition Fuel
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is natural gas cooled to around -162°C, making it easier to store and transport to different locations.
One of LNG’s key advantages is supply stability. Unlike solar or wind energy, which depend on weather and are intermittent, LNG can provide consistent energy 24/7.
This makes LNG a reliable source to meet basic energy needs, especially in countries transitioning from fossil fuels to renewables.
Compared to coal, LNG produces significantly lower emissions, making it a cleaner alternative for power generation. This is why LNG is often seen as a transitional energy source toward a greener system.
With its stable supply and efficient transport, LNG remains one of the best options to support the current energy transition.
References:
- Kemhan. Accessed 2025. New and Renewable Energy
- ESDM. Accessed 2025. Government Confident of Achieving 23% NRE Target by 2025
- EIA. Accessed 2025. Renewable Energy Explained
