Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives of Indonesia Priyo Budi Santoso and his delegation comprising representatives of parliament visited Hungary. Minister of State for Energy Affairs Pál Kovács received the members of the delegation in his office on 10 December, 2013. The discussion where opportunities of bilateral cooperation in energy affairs were reviewed was also attended by Dr. Anita Orbán, Ambassador-at-Large for Energy Security and Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia Maruli Tua Sagala.

The Minister of State for Energy Affairs informed members of the delegation on Hungary’s energy policy objectives and the instruments of the National Energy Strategy setting the direction for achieving them. The Indonesian party showed interest in the Hungarian ideas, especially in the climate friendly nuclear energy, which has a decisive share in power production in Hungary and a role in decreasing energy dependency. The thirty years’ experience and good practices Hungary has in the fields of nuclear industry authority regulations and security enhancing planning and operation may efficiently contribute to strengthening energy supply security in Indonesia, planning to introduce nuclear energy.

Indonesia is in constant search for energy production opportunities to cover the energy demand of its population of almost  250 million as well as for partnership relations necessary for the application thereof.  The framework agreement for comprehensive cooperation between the European Community and the Republic of Indonesia opens up new opportunities in several fields. Sharing European, including Hungarian, professional-practical experience and knowledge in the area of environmentally friendly and innovative technologies may have an outstanding role.

Indonesia is pioneering in the use of geothermal energy; given its natural endowments, its renewable power production is based on geothermal power plants. The oil palms, corn and sweet potatoes grown in the country also make the production of biodiesel and the operation of ethanol driven vehicles possible.

(Ministry of National Development, Communications Department)