How APREBI Strengthens Indonesia’s Biomass Energy Ecosystem Through Policy and Collaboration
Effective energy transition requires more than technology — it requires policy alignment, strategic collaboration, and long-term vision. In Indonesia, where renewable energy potential is vast yet fragmented, strong partnerships between government and industry are critical to turning potential into performance.
APREBI (Asosiasi Produsen Energi Biomassa Indonesia) serves as a bridge between biomass industry stakeholders and national policymakers, ensuring that Indonesia’s shift toward renewable energy is both economically viable and environmentally sustainable.
By engaging directly with ministries, local governments, and regulatory agencies, APREBI contributes to designing policies that strengthen the biomass energy ecosystem while maintaining accountability and inclusivity.
1. The Policy Landscape of Biomass Energy in Indonesia
Indonesia’s renewable energy framework is guided by the National Energy Policy (KEN) and the National Energy Master Plan (RUEN), both of which target at least 23% renewable energy in the national energy mix by 2025. Biomass is expected to play a key role in achieving that goal, contributing to both decarbonization and rural energy access.
Government programs such as co-firing initiatives in PLN power plants, incentives for biomass power producers, and regulations on sustainable feedstock sourcing demonstrate growing institutional support for the sector.
However, challenges remain — from feedstock supply logistics and inconsistent regional regulations to limited financial instruments for biomass investment. This is where APREBI’s advocacy becomes crucial: representing industry perspectives in policymaking discussions and helping refine regulations to ensure fair, practical implementation.
2. APREBI’s Role in Policy Dialogue and Advocacy
APREBI’s engagement model is based on three interconnected pillars: dialogue, representation, and policy support.
- Dialogue with Government Ministries
APREBI regularly collaborates with ministries such as the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), and Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, to align industrial realities with national sustainability targets.
These dialogues address technical and regulatory challenges, including biomass standardization, emission thresholds, and fiscal incentives. - Representation in Policy Formation
Through consultative sessions and working groups, APREBI ensures that biomass producers’ voices are included in renewable energy roadmaps, export regulations, and sustainability certification frameworks such as SVLK (Timber Legality System) and ISPO (Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil).
APREBI’s advocacy helps ensure that regulations not only promote sustainability but also remain practical and business-friendly for local producers and exporters.
- Support for Regional Governments
Recognizing that policy success depends on local implementation, APREBI works with regional governments to translate national energy goals into provincial-level biomass programs. This includes capacity building, licensing guidance, and monitoring of local biomass utilization initiatives.
3. Building a Sustainable Biomass Policy Ecosystem
Policy advocacy by APREBI extends beyond lobbying — it focuses on building a balanced regulatory ecosystem that fosters innovation, transparency, and accountability.
Key strategic areas include:
- Sustainable Sourcing Policies — Promoting responsible land use and enforcing no-deforestation criteria in biomass supply chains.
- Carbon Accounting Standards — Advocating for unified methodologies to measure lifecycle emissions and recognize biomass as a carbon-mitigating fuel.
- Investment and Incentive Frameworks — Collaborating with financial institutions to improve access to green financing, tax incentives, and feed-in tariffs for renewable biomass projects.
- Export and Trade Regulations — Aligning Indonesia’s biomass export standards with international sustainability expectations, especially in markets such as Japan and South Korea.
By working closely with the government, APREBI helps transform biomass from a niche energy source into a strategic national commodity — one that drives both economic and environmental progress.
4. Recent Policy Engagements and Milestones
APREBI’s advocacy efforts have contributed to several important developments:
- Support for Co-Firing Programs: Input on feedstock standards and logistical feasibility for biomass co-firing in PLN’s coal plants.
- Local Biomass Industry Forums: Engagement with provincial governments (e.g., Gorontalo, Riau) to align local policies with national biomass initiatives.
- Sustainability Workshops: Collaboration with KLHK to raise awareness on legal and sustainable biomass sourcing practices.
- Export Dialogue: Participation in international trade forums to discuss sustainable biomass exports and verification requirements for overseas markets.
These engagements underline APREBI’s strategic position as both industry representative and policy collaborator in Indonesia’s renewable energy landscape.
5. Challenges and Future Directions
While policy momentum is strong, the biomass sector faces structural challenges that require sustained advocacy:
- Inconsistent regional implementation of renewable energy regulations.
- Limited data and certification infrastructure for biomass traceability.
- Need for harmonized carbon accounting and verification standards.
- Insufficient financial mechanisms for small and medium biomass producers.
Moving forward, APREBI aims to:
- Develop a Policy & Research Task Force to provide data-driven recommendations to the government.
- Facilitate public-private partnerships for biomass infrastructure development.
- Advocate for inclusion of biomass in the National Green Taxonomy to attract ESG-based investment.
These initiatives ensure that APREBI remains not only a policy partner but also a driver of systemic change.
APREBI’s partnership with the Indonesian government is built on shared purpose — advancing clean energy, protecting the environment, and empowering local industries.
By combining policy advocacy with technical expertise, APREBI ensures that biomass energy development remains sustainable, inclusive, and aligned with Indonesia’s long-term vision for green growth.
Through collaboration, transparency, and data-driven advocacy, APREBI continues to be a trusted bridge between policymakers and producers — ensuring that every regulation brings the nation closer to its renewable energy goals.
References
- eria.org/research/forecast-of-biomass-demand-potential-in-indonesia-seeking-a-business-model-for-wood-pellets
- penerbit.brin.go.id/press/catalog/download/562/477/11498?inline=1
- jisea.universitaspertamina.ac.id/index.php/jisea/article/download/495/62/1071
- renewableenergy.id/a-trade-off-between-nature-conservation-and-energy-production-is-biomass-the-new-coal
- jurnal-puslitbangpln.id/index.php/jtpeep/article/download/124/49
- mebi.or.id
