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    • SingCham is the premier business chamber for Singaporean interests in Indonesia. Founded in 2006, SingCham aims to promote the business interests of individuals or companies operating in Singapore and/or Indonesia. SingCham provides networking activities, events, and useful information for its members, and acts as the liaison between the Singaporean business community and the Singapore and Indonesian governments. With a focus on fostering better networking and feedback among members, SingCham is committed to providing valuable resources and insights to help members connect, learn, and grow their businesses in Indonesia. Join SingCham today and become part of a thriving business community that benefits from exclusive resources, networking opportunities, and business insights.

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    17Dec, 2018
    Indonesia plans to make 30 percent biodiesel blend mandatory, studies B100

    While the government expanded the mandatory use of a 20 percent biodiesel blend ( B20 ) in September, it plans to further boost domestic biodiesel consumption to absorb more crude palm oil (CPO) amid fluctuation in the global market price of the commodity.

    Apart from improving the distribution of the B20 blend across to the country, the government is also carrying out research to increase the portion of biodiesel in the fuels rom 20 percent to 30 percent ( B30 ) or even to 100 percent ( B100 ).

    State-owned oil and gas holding company Pertamina supply chain operations manager Gema Iriandus Pahalawan further explained that three more biodiesel refineries would be developed, likely in Plaju in South Sumatra, Dumai in Riau and Balikpapan in East Kalimantan, to produce more biodiesel.

    Gema said the production of B30 biodiesel was expected to be implemented, while the government was still improving the B20 distribution, which had reached 97 percent in November and was planned to be completed in December.

     

    Photo: Doni Setiawan – The Jakarta Post

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    26Aug, 2018
    Europe set to ban use of halogen light bulbs from Sept. 1

    The European Union is set to ban the use of halogen bulbs and households are expected to switch to more energy-efficient lights, starting next month.

    A continent-wide switchover to light-emitting diodes (known as LEDs) is underway that will slash emissions and energy bills, according to industry, campaigners and experts.

    LEDs consume five times less energy than halogen bulbs and their phaseout will prevent more than 15 million tons of carbon emissions a year.

    The new notification will enforce a ban on the production and import of globe and candle-shaped halogen bulbs. Manufacturers and shop owners will not be allowed to store, import or sell the classic-style halogen lights starting on Sept 1. However, it is not a total ban.

    (read more: The Jakarta Post)

    16Aug, 2018
    Indonesian coal production at 37.11 percent of full-year target

    Indonesian coal production was recorded at 180 million tons on Wednesday, or 37.11 percent of the government’s 485 million target this year.

    However, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said he wanted Indonesia to further increase coal production to 585 million by year-end as part of efforts to narrow the current-account deficit (CAD).

    “Yesterday [Tuesday], during the limited Cabinet meeting, the President said that we needed foreign exchange. He raised the possibility of increasing coal production by 100 million tons,”  Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry spokesman Agung Pribadi said on Wednesday.

    He claimed that one coal miner was ready to increase its production by 25 million tons worth around US$1.5 billion.

    Speaking about the country’s meager coal production in the first half 2018, Agung claimed some companies had not reported their output and expressed confidence that coal miners would be able to meet the new production target.

    (read more: The Jakarta Post)

    13Aug, 2018
    Energy investment in Indonesia less than half of target

    In the first half of this year, Indonesia booked US$9.48 billion in investment in the energy and mineral resources sector, only 25 percent of the full-year target of $37.2 billion.

    The oil and gas sector contributed the most to the total investment at $5.11 billion, followed by electricity at $2.83 billion.

    Meanwhile, the mining and renewable energy sectors recorded a respective $790 million and $750 million in the first half.

    Responding to the results, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry said in a presentation made available to The Jakarta Post that global energy prices had become one of the main challenges in the past three years.

    “The focus ahead is to continue with efforts that simplify regulations, strengthen investment facilities and speed up the process of making strategic decisions,” the ministry said in the presentation.

    Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry spokesman Agung Pribadi told the press last Friday that investment in oil and gas would jump significantly in the second half, as was typical.

    (source: The Jakarta Post)

    4Jul, 2018
    Jokowi Opens Indonesia’s First Wind Power Plant, It’s in Sulawesi

    As President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo inaugurated Indonesia’s first wind power plant in Sidenreng Rappang, South Sulawesi, on Monday (02/07), the government is getting closer to its ambitious target of obtaining more than a fifth of the country’s energy from renewable sources.

    The plant, also known as PLTB Sidrap, consists of 30 wind turbines which can produce up to 75 megawatts and electrify 80,000 households. The turbines in 40 percent consist of locally produced components.

    “This puts Indonesia among the few Asian countries that posses wind power plants, like Japan, China and Korea,” Jokowi said in a statement.

    Wind turbine in Sidrap. Photo courtesy: Yusran Uccang – Antara

    Sidrap started its development in 2015 with $150 million borne by a consortium comprising of UPC Renewables Asia I, UPC Renewables Asia III, Sunedison and Binatek Energi Terbarukan.

    A similar project in Bantul, Yogyakarta, also developed  by UPC Renewables, was shelved in 2017 due to land clearance problems.

    Jokowi seeks to connect 99 percent of Indonesians to the country’s grid by 2019, when his first presidential term ends. Currently, the electrification rate is 96 percent.

    Indonesia aims to have 23 percent of its total power coming from renewable resources by 2025, also to fulfill its climate change mitigation commitment, in accordance with the Paris Agreement.

    Today, only 14 percent of the country’s energy is clean. More than half of it still comes from coal-powered plants.

    (Source: Jakarta Globe)