Palembang, 11 June 2026 – The project Clean, Affordable and Secure Energy (CASE) for Southeast Asia, together with the Communication and Outreach Department of the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), collaborated with Buku-Buku Linda, a local community in Palembang, to strengthen climate and energy transition literacy through a screening of the Pelita Asa film. The activity brought together local communities and youth to discuss the realities of climate change, the role of the energy sector, and the opportunities and challenges of advancing Indonesia’s energy transition.

The session began with a presentation that raised awareness about the realities of climate change and highlighted how the energy sector remains one of the largest contributors to carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere, accelerating global temperature rise. Participants were also introduced to the concept of the energy transition and why shifting towards cleaner energy systems is becoming increasingly important. The presentation was followed by a screening of the Pelita Asa movie, which captured the participants’ attention and served as a starting point for a broader discussion on energy transition in Indonesia.

South Sumatra shares many similarities with East Kalimantan as both are major coal-producing regions, although their current situations differ. While the number of coal mines in East Kalimantan is gradually declining, South Sumatra continues to expand coal production. According to Badan Pusat Statistik (2025), more than 60% of South Sumatra’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) is contributed by coal production. This illustrates the challenge of moving away from coal, as revenues from the coal sector continue to support the province’s economy and development. Furthermore, the local government has often stated that South Sumatra’s coal reserves remain sufficient to support electricity generation and economic development for the next century. Although several renewable energy projects are being developed across the province, coal is expected to continue playing an important role alongside clean energy during the transition.

At the same time, local communities and young people are becoming increasingly aware of the impacts of climate change. Participants shared that they have experienced rising temperatures in recent years as well as higher fuel prices following the energy crisis affecting the Hormuz Strait. The discussion reflected a strong interest in understanding how the energy transition could take place in South Sumatra and what role local communities could play in supporting and advocating for the transition.

The discussion highlighted that the energy transition is closely connected to everyday life, as energy underpins nearly every aspect of society. One of the most immediate actions individuals can take is to use electricity more efficiently. As around 85% of Indonesia’s electricity is generated from fossil fuels, improving energy efficiency can help reduce electricity demand from fossil fuel-based power generation while also lowering monthly electricity bills. Participants also discussed the importance of using public transportation whenever possible. While emissions from private vehicles are generated on an individual basis, public transportation distributes emissions across many passengers, resulting in lower emissions per person and contributing to more sustainable mobility.

One of the key questions raised during the discussion focused on the role of government in advancing the energy transition, particularly as much of the conversation had centred on individual actions. A participant from Trash Ranger shared that renewable energy initiatives such as biogas had previously been introduced in her village in East Java. However, the project eventually came to an end because it was no longer maintained after its initial implementation. She questioned how future renewable energy projects could be better sustained to ensure long-term benefits for local communities.

Responding to the discussion, IESR highlighted that achieving the energy transition requires the involvement of multiple stakeholders, each with different responsibilities. Individuals can contribute by adopting more sustainable practices and raising awareness of climate change and the energy transition through their own communities and platforms. At the same time, governments play a critical role in developing and implementing national and regional energy transition plans. As one of the signatories to the Paris Agreement, Indonesia has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, making coordinated action across all levels of government essential.

Indonesia’s vast geographical conditions also present significant challenges for implementing a just energy transition. Strengthening the capacity and decision-making authority of regional governments will therefore be important in delivering solutions that respond to local contexts. As illustrated in the Pelita Asa movie, the village of Muara Enggelam is located in a remote area, and residents waited years for access to solar panels after first submitting requests to the regional government. When the regional government was unable to fulfil the request, it had to be escalated to the central government before support could be provided.

The discussion concluded that Indonesia’s geographical diversity requires locally appropriate approaches to the energy transition. With thousands of villages located in remote areas, geographical conditions remain one of the key challenges in implementing a just energy transition. At the same time, strengthening the role of regional governments and empowering local communities can help ensure that energy transition efforts are more inclusive, responsive to local needs, and supported by locally driven solutions.