Indonesia is advancing plans to export electricity to Singapore while simultaneously developing Riau Islands (Kepri) province as a regional technology hub, a dual-track strategy that exemplifies President Prabowo Subianto's vision for economic development beyond Java.
Investment Minister Bahlil Lahadalia announced the initiatives following discussions with Singapore officials, according to CNN Indonesia, emphasizing how Indonesia's abundant energy resources and strategic geography can drive regional integration and domestic development.
The electricity export proposal leverages Indonesia's vast renewable energy potential—particularly geothermal, solar, and hydroelectric resources—to supply energy-constrained Singapore, which currently imports much of its natural gas and has limited domestic generation capacity.
For Singapore, Indonesian renewable electricity would support decarbonization goals and energy security, reducing dependence on fossil fuel imports. For Indonesia, it represents value-added exports and infrastructure investment that could benefit Indonesian provinces near Singapore.
The Riau Islands initiative positions the province—which includes Batam just 20 kilometers from Singapore—as a technology and digital economy center that could capture spillover from Singapore's tech sector while offering lower costs and Indonesia's large domestic market access.
"We're not just talking about proximity to Singapore," Minister Bahlil emphasized in his statement.
