On 6 August 2026, AHK Indonesia/EKONID (the German-Indonesian Chamber of Industry and Commerce) organized a German Energy Business Roundtable at its office in Jakarta, bringing together representatives from leading German energy companies and institutions operating in Indonesia.
The roundtable was opened by Ms. Monika Erath, Executive Director of EKONID, who welcomed CEOs and senior decision-makers from German companies and partner institutions, including PT Siemens Indonesia, the German Embassy, and GIZ.
Following her opening remarks, Ms. Anja Nitschke-Hoffmann, First Secretary of the German Embassy, outlined the main objective of the discussion: to gather firsthand insights into the opportunities and challenges faced by German companies in Indonesia's energy sector ahead of upcoming high-level delegations led by Federal Minister Reem Alabali Radovan of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in August and State Secretary Stefan Rouenhoff of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) in September.
Moderated by Mr. Stephan Blocks, Project Manager in EKONID's Business Development Department, the discussion provided a platform for participants to exchange experiences on the current business environment, identify strategic growth opportunities, and formulate recommendations to further strengthen German-Indonesian cooperation in the energy sector.
A key concern raised during the roundtable was regulatory unpredictability. Companies shared experiences related to frequent changes in local content (TKDN) requirements, product certification requirements such as SNI, and import inspection rules, which have created additional compliance burdens and customs delays for businesses.
Participants also highlighted structural challenges within the industry's procurement system, particularly in relation to PLN projects. Postponed or cancelled tenders were cited as examples underscoring the need for greater transparency and consistency throughout project implementation.
Despite these challenges, participants identified significant opportunities arising from Indonesia's long-term market potential. Smart grid development emerged as one of the most promising areas for collaboration, with German companies highlighting opportunities to contribute advanced grid technologies that could enhance system reliability and support the country's energy transition. Participants also discussed the growing potential of biogas and biomethane production.
The anticipated implementation of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) was also viewed positively. Participants expressed optimism that the agreement could help reduce non-tariff barriers, facilitate technology transfer, and strengthen trade and investment between Indonesia and the European Union.
To further improve the investment environment, participants recommended strengthening dialogue between German industry and Indonesian policymakers, including relevant ministries, PLN, and other strategic institutions. Greater regulatory consistency, more transparent procurement processes, and clearer long-term export policies were identified as essential factors in encouraging sustained investment in Indonesia's clean energy sector.
The roundtable concluded with an outlook on upcoming bilateral initiatives, including Indonesia Sustainable Energy Week (ISEW) 2026 and planned energy business delegations between Indonesia and Germany in 2027. These initiatives are expected to deepen cooperation in renewable energy, industrial decarbonization, energy efficiency, and sustainable infrastructure development.
The discussion reaffirmed the shared commitment of German industry in Indonesia to supporting the country's energy transition through closer collaboration, continued policy dialogue, and long-term strategic partnerships. By combining German technological expertise with Indonesia's ambitious energy transformation agenda, both sides see significant opportunities to foster a more resilient, sustainable, and competitive energy sector.
