Disclose Rp310 trillion funding information to the public!

Transparency in planning for an energy transition and strong public participation will create a fair energy transition.

In planning for energy transition funding using JETP funds, wide public participation and disclosure of information regarding funding and planning will support the success of JETP. This is also important as a reference for current and future energy transition projects in Indonesia.

Because Indonesia already has an energy transition programme apart from JETP, namely the Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Although ETM as a joint venture is separate from JETP, however, according to the President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), "It is hoped that ETM will become a key mechanism in ensuring the successful implementation of JETP."

ETM is a joint venture of Indonesia with the ADB, with an agreed value of USD 500 million. Meanwhile, the pilot project for the implementation of ETM in Indonesia is the early retirement of Cirebon 1 Coal Power Plant.

If looked at in terms of the value of the joint venture between ETM and JETP, JETP should not be regarded as subsidiary to ETM, but vice versa. Because ETM is purely private while JETP involves public funds. Any failure in the implementation of JETP will result in the loss of public funds from Indonesia's National Budget or public funds donated by the International Partners Group of countries (IPG).

This is why transparency and public participation in the planning and implementation of JETP funding are extremely important to monitor the appropriate use of the funds for energy transition purposes and can become a reference point in the implementation of energy transition projects in Indonesia, one of which is ETM.

The fact that the ADB plays a major role in the operations of the JETP secretariat makes it more likely that the planned retirement of Cirebon 1 will be adopted by JETP. Strong public participation and open information will increase the chances of achieving JETP's energy transition targets, one of which is the retirement of Cirebon 1.

If the criteria for the plant's retirement can be set out in a transparent manner with public participation, these criteria can serve as a reference for the closure of Cirebon 1 to be funded by the ETM joint venture.

The planned retirement of Cirebon 1 is welcomed by various elements in Cirebon, including ourselves, Climate Rangers Cirebon. We were happy to hear of the planned closure of the coal-fired plant in our area because since the plant started operating, it has created problems for the health, environment, and economy of the local residents.

Last year in 2022, Climate Rangers Cirebon and KARBON monitored the air quality in the area around Cirebon 1. Based on the equipment we used, the results showed that the air quality was very unhealthy.

Apart from the negative impact on health, Cirebon's fishermen and salt harvesters have also experienced economic losses. Fishermen must sail further out to sea to catch their fish because the number of fish has decreased.

Meanwhile, many salt harvesters are finding it increasingly difficult to produce salt due to contamination of the seawater which is the source of the salt. People directly affected by the plant say that the quality of salt produced has declined and it is not as clean as before. The salt produced from pools around Cirebon 1 now is brownish in colour because the seawater is contaminated by waste and pollution from the plant.

If the plant continues to operate, the quality of fish and salt will get worse and more people will be at risk of losing their livelihoods.

Not only that. The explosion at the plant which occurred in 2014 and destroyed many people's homes also traumatised the community. We are afraid of the possibility of another explosion at the plant.

When will Cirebon 1 be shut down? Will the funds be used only to close the plant or will they also be used to restore the condition of the local environment? Will funds also be provided to build health facilities for the community so the increased healthcare costs as a result of the negative effects of Cirebon 1 can be overcome? Who will be responsible for the process of retiring the plant, central government or the local authorities? What of the workers currently employed at the plant if it is closed? How can the public get involved in the closure process?

There are many questions regarding the retirement of Cirebon 1 for the JETP Secretariat to consider so that the plant's closure as a pilot project of ETM can proceed according to agreed criteria and stages. In this way it is hoped that the plant's closure can proceed in accordance with the public's wishes.

Therefore, through this petition, we, Climate Rangers Cirebon, call upon the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the JETP Secretariat to disclose the relevant information and to involve the public in energy transition projects funded by JETP, ETM, or other energy transition schemes, including plans for the closure of Cirebon 1.

We are concerned that, without the disclosure of information and the involvement of the public, projects funded by JETP and other energy transition schemes will only create opportunities for false solutions which will sustain the use of fossil fuels including coal which contribute to the climate crisis, damage the environment, and cause social conflict at the local level, as well as creating the potential for the corrupt misuse of JETP funds. Energy transition funding, whether via JETP or other sources, must be fit for purpose, namely a fair energy transition that doesn't create false solutions or misleading information.