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Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Arifin Tasrif visited Norway and Iceland from June 13 to 16, 2022, to discuss energy cooperation and attract investment for the development of Indonesia's energy infrastructure.

According to a statement received from the Indonesian Embassy in Oslo here on Thursday, during his visit to Norway from June 13–15, the Indonesian minister held a bilateral meeting with the Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Terje Asland, and opened the 9th Indonesia-Norway Bilateral Energy Consultations (INBEC).

INBEC is a bilateral forum between Indonesia and Norway, which is held every two years to enhance cooperation in the energy sector, including oil, gas, and renewable energy.

Tasrif also met with the Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment, Espen Barth Eide, to discuss cooperation for realizing the energy transition and achieving the net-zero emission targets.

In addition, he held a series of business meetings with a number of renewable energy companies such as Tinfos, Scatec AS, Ocean Sun, and Fred Olsen, oil and gas enterprises such as Equinor and Neptune, as well as battery corporation Fryer.

He also visited a hydroelectric power plant (PLTA) in Notodden and met with the Indonesian diaspora working in the energy sector at the Indonesia Norway Society (INS) and the Indonesian Petroleum Engineering Expert Association (IATMI) in Oslo.

Meanwhile, while visiting Iceland on June 15 and 16, the Indonesian minister met with the Icelandic Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs, Bjarni Benediktsson, to discuss energy investment in Indonesia.

Furthermore, Tasrif held a business meeting with Icelandic geothermal energy companies which are seeking to expand investment in Indonesia, including Mannvit, Verkist, Isor, and North Tech Energy.

In addition, he visited a geothermal power plant in Hellisheidi.

Indonesia is currently striving to achieve its clean energy transition targets of 23 percent renewable energy mix by 2025 and net-zero emissions by 2060.

The Indonesian Ambassador for the Kingdom of Norway and Republic of Iceland, Todung Mulya Lubis, said that the visit had been long-awaited, but had been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Energy cooperation is one of the important pillars of Indonesia's relations with Norway and Iceland as many parties in these two countries are eager to start and strengthen their cooperation with Indonesia in the renewable energy sector," the ambassador noted.

According to the embassy’s statement, Norway and Iceland are countries that have advantages in developing renewable energy.

Currently, 99 percent of the energy in Norway is generated from hydro energy.

Meanwhile, 73 percent of the energy in Iceland is produced from water energy, whilst 27 percent of the energy is generated from geothermal energy.  (Antaranews)