Jakarta – The Indonesian Centre for Environmental Law (ICEL) and Publish What You Pay (PWYP), as members of Open Government Indonesia, collaborated during the Open Government Partnership Week 2024 by hosting a talk show titled “Weighing the Opportunities for Information Transparency in Electricity Contracts.” The event took place at the Bappenas Building on Tuesday (28/5). This discussion aimed to explore the potential of information transparency in electricity contracts, which is crucial for ensuring environmental sustainability and the ecosystems within.
ICEL researcher, Debby Thalita, emphasized that transparency in electricity contracts is essential for several reasons: enhancing public trust and participation, improving oversight, making planning and operations more efficient, fostering healthy and competitive business practices, and achieving fairer pricing. In the electricity sector, contract transparency also supports commitments to energy transition and early coal retirement.
“Contract transparency is vital because of its broad impacts, not only on energy efficiency and sustainability but also on human rights, including the rights of indigenous peoples and vulnerable groups. Considering the urgent energy transition plans and the increasing climate change issues, transparency in this process is crucial to support efforts to achieve inclusive climate and sustainable development targets,” Debby explained.
Donny Yoesgiantoro, Chairman of the Central Information Commission, asserted that transparency in electricity contracts is mandated by the 1945 Constitution and the Public Information Disclosure Act (UU KIP). Moreover, with the renewable energy mix target still far from being achieved at approximately 12.8 percent, transparency is critical.
“The conflict arises when determining what can be disclosed to the public. We advocate for information transparency. Information that cannot be disclosed includes 1) state secrets, 2) personal secrets, 3) business secrets,” added Donny.
Agus Cahyono Adi, Head of the Bureau of Communications, Public Information Services, and Cooperation at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), highlighted the need for a transparency strategy in the electricity sector. Furthermore, Agus explained that regulatory support and digital innovation in information access are strategies being implemented by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
“To achieve transparency in electricity contracts, we need a consequence test. Therefore, efforts are needed to strengthen the updating of contract information and the commitment to transparency by business entities,” he explained.
However, PYWP Indonesia Coordinator Aryanto Nugroho clarified that information transparency is not just about whether information is accessible to the public. Aryanto added that it is essential to ensure that this information reaches the community.
Contact Person
Marsya Mutmainah H (ICEL) – 0813-8277-7068