Indonesia Says Electricity Exports to Singapore Depend on Acceptable Pricing
Indonesia's energy minister said the country will only export up to 3.4 GW of low-carbon power to Singapore if a mutually agreeable price is reached, emphasizing domestic supply priorities.
Jakarta – Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia told reporters on Nov 2 that Indonesia will not export electricity to Singapore unless the two sides agree on a price that meets Indonesia's terms. He said the ministry has calculated a proposed export price but did not disclose the figure or a timeline for shipments.
“As long as the price is right, follow our prices, that is possible. But if the price is not right, we will prioritise domestic needs,” Bahlil said, according to state news agency Antara.
The minister, who also serves as Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition, reiterated earlier statements that Indonesia needs the power for domestic consumption and will not commit to near-term exports. He warned the sovereign investment agency Danantara against yielding to lobbying, noting that export permits are issued by his ministry.
Indonesia and Singapore have been preparing a bilateral energy initiative that could deliver up to 3.4 GW of electricity to Singapore by 2035, under memorandums of understanding signed in June 2025. Singapore’s Energy Market Authority has granted conditional licences for 2 GW of imports and approvals for an additional 1.4 GW.
The proposed trade is intended to help Singapore lower its reliance on fossil fuels while attracting renewable-energy investment in Indonesia. Singapore’s foreign minister has said cross-border energy contracts can support domestic needs and regional cooperation.
In a separate remark, Bahlil urged that Indonesia’s natural resources, including minerals and liquefied natural gas, be exported directly to end-user countries rather than through intermediaries, implying concerns about third-party benefits.
The comments come amid recent tensions over transboundary haze, natural-gas supplies, and accusations that Singapore was reselling Indonesian LNG to other markets, which Singapore’s ministry has denied.