On 16 January 2025 in Jakarta, Prof. Purnomo Yusgiantoro—Founder of the Purnomo Yusgiantoro Center (PYC) and Special Presidential Advisor on Energy—participated in the prestigious “Semangat Awal Tahun 2025” event organized by IDN Times. Prof. Purnomo was a panelist in a session titled “Sustainable Energy Supporting Economic Growth.”
In his session, Prof. Purnomo delivered a strategic presentation on the future of the energy sector in Indonesia, highlighting the crucial role of renewable energy as a key driver of inclusive and sustainable economic growth. He encouraged participants to adopt a forward-thinking mindset, to harness domestic potential, and to integrate technological innovation in order to build a more efficient and environmentally friendly energy ecosystem.
One of the key points raised during his talk was the importance of fairly comparing the price of coal-based dimethyl ether (DME) with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)—or in his words, an “apple-to-apple” comparison. He emphasized that DME can become commercially competitive with LPG only if the coal price used in its production is maintained at around USD 10 per ton. This statement highlighted that DME’s long-term viability does not depend solely on technological advantages, but also on cost stability and the efficiency of primary energy supply.
Prof. Purnomo’s insights not only addressed the current challenges in the energy sector but also inspired participants to explore innovative solutions. By promoting a comparative and analytical approach, he expressed hope that such discussions would encourage the formulation of policies that support Indonesia’s energy transition—ensuring economic growth that aligns with environmental protection and carbon emission reduction.
As reported by IDN Times, the event served as a valuable platform for critical discourse and consensus-building among stakeholders on the future of sustainable energy development in Indonesia.
