Yogyakarta, September 7, 2024 – New Energy Nexus (NEX) Indonesia, in collaboration with the Society of Renewable Energy at Universitas Gadjah Mada (SRE UGM) and the Department of Public Works, Housing, and Energy and Mineral Resources of Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta (Dinas PUPESDM DIY), successfully hosted the fifth series of NEX STEP XChange. This initiative aims to engage young people in addressing the pressing issue of climate change
Held at the Universitas Gadjah Mada campus, NEX STEP XChange featured a Policy Case Competition and a Policy Workshop. These activities served as platforms for young people in the Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta (DIY) to express their aspirations and develop ideas and policy solutions addressing the region’s energy transition challenges.
The Policy Case Competition focused on the theme “Developing Energy Conservation Policy Instruments to Establish DIY as a Low-Emission Province.” The competition attracted 17 teams from various universities across the DIY Region, with five teams selected to advance to the finals on September 7, 2024.
After careful discussion and evaluation by the judges, we would like to congratulate:
1st Place Winner: Abhipraya – Universitas Gadjah Mada
Considering the suboptimal implementation of renewable energy policies by the DIY Regional Government and the high emissions produced by the transportation and household sectors, we recommend that the DIY Government leverage renewable energy in productive household sectors and optimize public transportation services through three key programs: the establishment of an R&D ecosystem for academics, the integration and enhancement of public transportation services, and the adoption of renewable energy for productive household industries through collaborative community-based funding,” stated Rakha Pradipa Auliya, Team Leader of Abhipraya, the 1st Place Winner of the NEX STEP XChange DIY Policy Case Competition.
2nd Place Winner: GAMAJELL – Universitas Gadjah Mada
The GAMAJELL team recommended that PLN, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (KESDM), and the Department of Public Works, Housing, and Energy and Mineral Resources of Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta (Dinas PUPESDM DIY) conduct analyses and align their policies to avoid any overlapping regulations. Additionally, they suggested implementing a blended financing scheme with the private sector or philanthropic organizations to minimize investment risks in the renewable energy sector and provide fiscal and financial incentives to attract investments to DIY. Furthermore, they emphasized the importance of building human resource readiness through educational programs and integrating these initiatives into existing school curriculum.
3rd Place Winner: Gamarizz – Universitas Gadjah Mada
The Gamarizz team from Universitas Gadjah Mada, led by Fariz Ramzi Asshidqi, recognizes that Yogyakarta is currently facing a waste emergency. In response, the Gamarizz group recommends constructing a Waste-to-Energy Power Plant (PLTSa) at the Piyungan Landfill. This facility would serve as a renewable energy source while also addressing the significant amount of unprocessed waste in DIY.
Rakha Pradipa Auliya, representing the Abhipraya team, also shared his thoughts on the Policy Case Competition: “We are grateful for the opportunity to learn together about energy policies, especially in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY). The greatest challenge in this competition was understanding the technical terms related to energy. However, we focused on a managerial level to ensure that the policies could be applied effectively.”
Alongside the final round of the Policy Case Competition, New Energy Nexus Indonesia also held a Policy Workshop titled “Shaping DIY’s Energy Transition Policies for a Sustainable Future.” The workshop featured two speakers: Yustina Ika Kurniawati, Head of the Department of Public Works, Housing, and Energy and Mineral Resources of Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta (Dinas PUPESDM DIY), and Enda Grimonia, Policy Analyst Manager at New Energy Nexus Indonesia.
Yustina Ika Kurniawati, Head of the Department of Public Works, Housing, and Energy and Mineral Resources of Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta (Dinas PUPESDM DIY), opened the session by presenting material related to the plans, targets, and implementation processes for renewable energy in Yogyakarta. She also emphasized the region’s commitment to energy transition, highlighting the importance of developing clean and renewable energy infrastructure. This plan outlines strategic policies and programs aimed at achieving regional emission reduction targets, promoting renewable energy, and ensuring energy access and security in alignment with sustainable development goals.
Attended by over 73 enthusiastic young participants, the event featured presentations and case study practices led by Enda Grimonia, Policy Analyst Manager at New Energy Nexus Indonesia. Participants were invited to gain deeper insights into the policy-making process in Indonesia, focusing on the importance of youth participation in the energy transition. Additionally, several frameworks for analyzing policies were explained, including stakeholder analysis as a key method.
“This Policy Workshop was extraordinary. We had the opportunity to hear from two speakers and then worked in groups to analyze stakeholders in the development of low-carbon sustainable tourism in DIY. We hope that we, as students and members of the community, can contribute in both small and large ways to support low-carbon development,” said Lia, one of the participants in the NEX STEP XChange DIY Policy Workshop.
New Energy Nexus Indonesia strives to encourage youth participation in the energy transition policy-making process. We believe that the active involvement of young people in energy transition policies is crucial for accelerating the achievement of renewable energy mix targets at both the national and sub-national levels. NEX STEP XChange will return as the final series in NTT.