Eric Watkins
Oil Diplomacy Editor
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 25 -- The Indonesian House of Representatives' Commission VII, which oversees energy affairs, has approved eight members for the country's newly established National Energy Board.
The members include: Rinaldy Dalimi, professor of electrical engineering at University of Indonesia; Tumiran, professor of electrical engineering at Gajah Mada University; Eddie Widiono, chairman of a national team on energy saving; Herman Darnel Ibrahim, energy analyst; Widjajono Partowidagdo, technology engineering expert; Mukhtasor, environmental expert; Agusman Effendi, representing consumers; and Herman Agustiawan, representing consumers.
Under Indonesia's Energy Law, approved in July, 2007, the government is required to set up the NEB, which is to be chaired by the president and to have 15 members, including seven ministers.
The Energy Law aims generally to guarantee energy stockpiles based on domestic sources and imports, as the Southeast Asian nation struggles with regular power outages and declining oil output.
Under the law, the NEB is charged with monitoring the implementation of national energy policy and determining the steps needed to overcome possible obstacles and the threat of future energy crises.
"With the approval of this energy law, we will encourage people to use more renewable energy instead of fossil fuel in future," said Energy Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro.
Indonesia, which recently withdrew from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, has seen a continued decline in its production of crude oil (OGJ Online, Sept. 12, 2008). The country is making an effort to shift some of its energy demand to more abundant natural gas or coal and biofuel.
Contact Eric Watkins at [email protected].
