Andrew Cahyo Adhi, Nur Widi Priambodo, Muchammad, Tony Suryo Utomo, Reyhan Kevin Akmal Setia Abdrian

Unlocking Indonesia’s Critical Minerals for Renewable Energy: Challenges and Pathways to Net-Zero Emissions

Introduction

Unlocking indonesia’s critical minerals for renewable energy: challenges and pathways to net-zero emissions. Explore Indonesia's critical minerals for renewable energy & net-zero. This study reveals supply chain challenges, advocating sustainable mining, downstream industries & circular economy policies.

Abstract

Indonesia holds a pivotal role in the global renewable energy (RE) transition due to its abundant reserves of critical minerals like nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements (REEs). However, a significant gap exists between these resources and the technologies needed to leverage them, highlighting supply chain vulnerabilities. This qualitative, exploratory-descriptive study integrates Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), criticality matrix analysis, and value chain mapping to examine Indonesia’s mineral supply chains, sustainability, and Local Content (TKDN) policies. The findings reveal that despite its mineral wealth, Indonesia's inadequate management capacity complicates the achievement of TKDN goals and exposes supply chain deficiencies. The research advocates for developing downstream industries, adopting sustainable mining practices, and international collaboration. Policy recommendations include simplifying regulations, fostering innovation, and embracing circular economy principles, providing Indonesia with a strategic framework for its energy transformation.

Review

This study tackles a highly relevant and timely topic concerning Indonesia's strategic position in the global renewable energy transition, driven by its rich critical mineral reserves. The abstract effectively highlights a crucial gap between these mineral resources and the technological and managerial capacities required to leverage them, setting a clear objective for the research. The proposed methodological integration of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), criticality matrix analysis, and value chain mapping within a qualitative, exploratory-descriptive framework is ambitious and promises a comprehensive understanding of complex supply chain dynamics, sustainability implications, and local content policies. This multi-faceted approach is a significant strength, indicating a robust attempt to dissect a multi-layered issue. The findings presented, such as the impact of inadequate management capacity on Local Content (TKDN) goals and the exposure of supply chain deficiencies, offer valuable insights into the practical challenges faced by Indonesia. The recommendations for developing downstream industries, adopting sustainable mining practices, fostering international collaboration, simplifying regulations, and embracing circular economy principles provide a strategic framework that is both practical and forward-looking. However, given the study's qualitative and exploratory-descriptive nature, the abstract could benefit from briefly elaborating on how the integrated methodologies specifically informed the nuanced understanding of "inadequate management capacity" and its precise link to TKDN challenges. A clearer articulation of how the qualitative analysis specifically leveraged or was complemented by tools like LCA and criticality matrix to arrive at these management-centric conclusions would enhance the abstract's overall clarity and methodological coherence. Overall, this paper makes a substantial contribution to the discourse on critical minerals, sustainable development, and energy transition, particularly from a developing nation's perspective. It offers a well-structured set of policy recommendations that are pertinent not only to Indonesia but potentially to other mineral-rich economies grappling with similar challenges. The research provides a valuable foundation for strategic planning and policy formulation, bridging academic analysis with practical actionable advice. With the aforementioned minor clarification on methodological integration, this study would be a strong candidate for publication, offering significant insights to both academic researchers and policymakers in the field.

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