Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia and the UK have marked the completion of the first phase of the programme “Towards a Low Carbon Energy Transition in Indonesia” (MENTARI) with a strong commitment to deepen their collaboration on a just and inclusive energy transition.
This is a five-year partnership in 2020 – 2025 between the two countries to accelerate the adoption of low-carbon energy in Indonesia.
Speaking at the closing ceremony in Jakarta on July 3, Matthew Downing, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Indonesia, praised the partnership as a model for impactful and people-centred climate action.
MENTARI is a flagship programme that strengthens the Indonesia - UK partnership in low-carbon energy. It has delivered tangible benefits to communities in Central Sumba; narrowed the gap between project developers and investors; and provided technical and policy support to advance Indonesia’s energy transition.
Julio Retana, project director at energy consultancy Momentum, said the MENTARI programme has supported a project in eastern Indonesia that has provided electricity to people in the region. The UK has also shared best practices and opened up more opportunities for collaboration with Indonesia to jointly promote renewable energy. He added that over the past five years, this partnership has taken Indonesia one step closer to its energy transition.
The MENTARI programme works across multiple areas such as policy advice, investment brokerage, practical projects and knowledge exchange to promote inclusive and sustainable energy solutions. It is specifically aimed at supporting women in regions of Indonesia.
Dewa Ayu Laksmi from the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, emphasised that the programme has contributed to empowering women, supporting increased income to help them become financially independent.
Building on the successes of the first phase, the second one is being planned to further support Indonesia's climate and energy goals./.
