Integrating New and Renewable Energy in Indonesia^s Post-Pandemic Energy Landscape: The Role of Nuclear Power
Sunarko

Polytechnic Institute of Nuclear Technology
Babarsari, Yogyakarta

Abstract

The past COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the global economy and altered electricity use patterns, including in Indonesia. Government policies enforcing social restrictions and remote work led to increased household energy consumption while reducing commercial energy use. The pandemic caused a sharp economic downturn, with growth plummeting to -5.32%. Although the economy is recovering, some changes in energy use patterns persist. Utilities and energy companies have adjusted their infrastructure and investment plans in response to these shifts. The pandemic underscored the need for resilient and sustainable energy systems. The recent initiative to phase out coal in the energy sector paves the way for New and Renewable Energy (NRE) to provide more environmentally friendly electricity, helping to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This paper examines how NRE, particularly nuclear energy, can be integrated into the national energy mix, considering the recovering demand and the shift to new electricity consumption patterns post-pandemic.

Keywords: Sustainable energy- Coal phase-out- NRE- Nuclear energy

Topic: Energy Management, Regulation, and Policy