Surabaya, Indonesia Sentinel — Surabaya, the capital of East Java, has been selected as a pilot city for energy transition and efficiency efforts in Indonesia. The city officially launched its building sector decarbonization program on April 16, 2025, under the Sustainable Energy Transition in Indonesia (SETI) initiative.
The SETI project, a joint effort between the Indonesian and German governments, is designed to accelerate the decarbonization of the industrial and building sectors through the adoption of renewable energy and integrated energy conservation practices. Funded by the German government, the bilateral program began in 2023 and is scheduled to run through 2028.
Andriah Feby Misna, Director of Various New and Renewable Energy at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), said the collaboration marks a concrete commitment from both the national government and development partners to support local-level energy transition, particularly in the building sector.
SETI’s urban focus includes strategic planning and the rollout of pilot projects in government, commercial, and residential buildings. These projects aim to demonstrate the practical benefits of energy efficiency and renewable integration across city infrastructure.
“If energy efficiency and the use of solar power or other renewable sources can be successfully implemented in Surabaya’s buildings, this could significantly reduce national greenhouse gas emissions,” Feby said in a written statement.
Surabaya was chosen for transition energy model city considering its considerable energy-saving potential, existing green building certification framework, rapidly growing construction sector, and the capacity of local stakeholders to manage energy transition projects.
“With these strengths, Surabaya is being positioned as a role model for energy transition and efficiency in the building sector,” Feby added. “Our goal is to align economic growth with decarbonization efforts, helping make Surabaya a low-carbon and sustainable city.”
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Edison Siagian, Director of Regional Government Affairs Synchronization at the Ministry of Home Affairs, stressed the need for alignment between central and local governments in inclusive and sustainable development planning.
“To effectively implement energy transition policies, collaboration and multisectoral integration must begin at the planning stage and continue through execution and evaluation,” Siagian said.
Surabaya city officials expressed enthusiasm about being selected for the pioneering project. City Secretary Ikhsan highlighted ongoing sustainable initiatives, such as the energy-efficient City Hall building and the Joyoboyo Intermodal Terminal, which utilizes environmentally friendly materials.
“We are proud to be chosen as a pioneer in building sector decarbonization,” Ikhsan said during the launch event. “We will continue working with all stakeholders to make Surabaya a livable and sustainable city through the SETI program.”
(Raidi/Agung)
