Indonesia-Bangladesh strengthen energy cooperation with 1st joint committee meeting

Indonesia and Bangladesh held the inaugural Joint Committee Meeting on Energy on Monday, August 25, 2025, a milestone in strengthening the two countries’ strategic collaboration, after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on energy cooperation on September 4, 2023.

Secretary-General of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Dadan Kusdiana highlighted the importance of the partnership amid today’s global energy landscape.

“Indonesia and Bangladesh are facing a dual challenge: ensuring domestic energy security and economic growth while at the same time transitioning toward a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy system,” Dadan said as quoted in an statement on Monday, August 25, 2025.

Economic ties between the two countries remain strong, with bilateral trade in 2024 reaching US$2.94 billion (Rp47.78 trillion). Coal remains Indonesia’s largest export to Bangladesh, valued at US$1.05 billion for around 13.2 million tons, while palm oil, clinker, and chemical products also contribute significantly. In return, Bangladesh exports textiles, woven goods, and footwear to Indonesia, enriching and balancing the trade relationship.

Indonesia reaffirmed its readiness to support Bangladesh’s growing energy needs, particularly in providing affordable and stable coal supplies, while also committing to advancing clean coal technologies and sustainable energy initiatives. With a national electricity capacity of 105 gigawatts (GW) by mid-2025 − 15 percent of which comes from renewable sources − Indonesia is positioning itself as a reliable energy partner for Bangladesh.

The two nations are also exploring collaboration in human resource development for the energy sector. Indonesia’s ESDM oversees two key institutions − the Akamigas Cepu Energy and Mineral Polytechnic and the Bandung Energy and Mining Polytechnic − both of which are ready to support workforce capacity building in Indonesia and Bangladesh.

“This meeting not only strengthens our friendship, but also lays the foundation for long-term cooperation in energy,” Dadan said, noting opportunities for joint work in energy infrastructure, power generation, oil and gas projects, and renewable energy development.

Bangladesh’s Secretary of the Power Division, Farzana Mamtaz, emphasized that the talks focused on strengthening cooperation in electricity and energy subsectors, which she described as fundamental to both countries’ development goals.

She noted that while nearly all Bangladeshis now have access to electricity, rising demand driven by the country’s development ambitions requires stronger international partnerships. In this context, Indonesia is a resource-rich, technologically capable, and trusted partner in Asia.

Bangladesh recently adopted its Renewable Energy Policy 2025, which targets a renewable energy share of 20 percent by 2030, rising to 30 percent by 2040. The country is experiencing rapid growth in rooftop solar and coastal wind projects. According to Mamtaz, Indonesia’s expertise and technology can play a vital role in accelerating Bangladesh’s renewable energy goals.