DPR Passes the Bill on Energy - Broadening the Base and Looking to the Future

The energy regulatory framework became somewhat clearer when on 18 July 2007 the House of Representatives (DPR) passed the Bill on Energy. The primary aim of the Bill is to provide a sound legal basis for energy planning and strategy going forward. Nevertheless, the Bill was not without bones of contention with both the government and the DPR listing several perceived problems that the Bill attempts to address. It is fair to say that the national energy policy lacks proper vision and clear targets, which has lead and continues to lead to poor management and coordination in administering the energy sector. The Bill also envisages diversification of energy sources and this is at least a small saving grace for the environment as Indonesia has been historically heavily reliant on fossils fuels. Consequently, the Bill attempts to raise public awareness of energy use in order to encourage the greater community to conserve and save energy.