New and renewable energy has become essential for many countries seeking to reduce carbon emissions, strengthen energy security, and promote sustainable economic growth.
Various countries have shown that the transition toward clean energy can be achieved through effective policies, long-term investment, and strong public support. Indonesia also has significant opportunities to follow their example.
The increasingly visible impacts of climate change have made the need for an energy transition more urgent.
Dependence on fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas not only increases greenhouse gas emissions but also makes energy supplies vulnerable to price fluctuations and global geopolitical conditions.
At the same time, the cost of generating electricity from renewable energy continues to decline. Many solar and wind power projects are now more economical than fossil fuel-based power plants.
This development has made new and renewable energy one of the main solutions for creating a cleaner, more resilient, and sustainable energy system.
Top Three Countries Successfully Optimizing New and Renewable Energy
Various countries have demonstrated that the transition toward new and renewable energy is no longer merely a long-term objective, but a concrete step that is already delivering economic and environmental benefits.
1. Denmark: A Global Leader in Wind Energy
Denmark is one of the world’s most advanced countries in renewable energy utilization. In 2024, around 88% of its electricity demand was supplied by renewable energy sources, with wind energy contributing approximately 58%.
Denmark’s success has been supported by policies that involve local communities. For nearly 15 years, every new wind power project was required to allocate at least 20% ownership to local communities.
This approach has allowed communities to benefit economically while also increasing public support for the development of clean energy.
2. Djibouti: Rapid Transformation Within Five Years
Djibouti demonstrates that developing countries can also achieve significant progress. Within approximately five years, the contribution of renewable energy increased from almost zero to around 67%.
The East African country aims to achieve 100% renewable energy use by 2035 as part of its efforts to reduce electricity costs, improve industrial competitiveness, and strengthen national energy independence.
3. Lithuania: Reducing Dependence on Imported Energy
Lithuania accelerated its energy transition after energy supplies were disrupted by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Since 2022, the country has successfully ended its dependence on Russian fossil fuels.
Today, more than 60% of Lithuania’s electricity comes from renewable energy, supported by the rapid installation of rooftop solar panels. The government is even aiming for the country to become a net electricity exporter by 2030.
Related Article: Renewable Energy in Indonesia: Definition, Sources, and Its Role in the Future
Other Countries That Have Also Succeeded with New and Renewable Energy
In addition to the three countries above, several other nations have also demonstrated successful use of new and renewable energy.
1. Portugal, the Netherlands, and Germany
Portugal generates more than 75% of its electricity from renewable energy. Solar power has grown rapidly, and the country ended its use of coal in 2021.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands has reduced emissions from its electricity sector by approximately 50% since 2018 through the expansion of offshore wind and solar power. The country aims to phase out all coal-fired power plants by 2029.
Germany is also one of Europe’s leading countries in the energy transition. Around 45% of its electricity currently comes from renewable energy, with a target of reaching 80% by 2030.
Notably, Germany installs more than 100,000 solar panels every day to accelerate progress toward this target.
2. Spain, Ireland, Greece, and Luxembourg
Spain obtains more than half of its electricity needs from a combination of wind, solar, and hydropower. Coal use continues to decline, and nearly all coal-fired power plants are expected to close within the next few years.
Ireland ended coal-based electricity generation in 2025 after significantly increasing its wind energy capacity over the previous two decades.
In Greece, abundant sunlight has been utilized effectively, allowing renewable energy to supply around half of the country’s electricity.
Luxembourg has also significantly increased the contribution of solar and wind power to its electricity mix over the past decade.
Countries with the Largest Renewable Energy Capacity in the World
In addition to the percentage of renewable energy in the electricity mix, installed capacity also reflects how seriously a country is investing in new and renewable energy.
Based on Statista data from 2025, China had the world’s largest renewable energy capacity, reaching approximately 2,258 GW. The United States ranked second with around 468 GW, followed by Brazil.
China is also a global leader in the development of solar and hydropower generation.
The United States continues to expand investment in solar and wind power, while Brazil is recognized as one of the world’s largest producers of hydropower.
Globally, renewable energy accounted for nearly 32% of total electricity generation in 2024. This figure indicates that the global energy transition is continuing to accelerate.
Indonesia’s Opportunities to Develop New and Renewable Energy
Indonesia has enormous potential to develop new and renewable energy. As a tropical archipelagic country, Indonesia has abundant solar, hydropower, wind, geothermal, and bioenergy resources.
However, the utilization of these resources still needs to be significantly improved.
Clean energy development not only helps reduce carbon emissions, but also strengthens national energy security, expands access to electricity, creates green jobs, and supports more sustainable economic growth.
The success of various countries shows that accelerating the energy transition requires a combination of consistent policies, long-term investment, technological innovation, and collaboration among the government, private sector, and communities.
Related Article: Clean Energy: Definition, Benefits, Types, and Examples in Indonesia
Advancing the Future of New and Renewable Energy in Indonesia with TBS Energi Utama
Indonesia has a significant opportunity to follow the example of countries that have successfully developed new and renewable energy.
One company contributing to this journey is TBS Energi Utama, which continues to strategically expand its portfolio of renewable energy projects across Indonesia.
Through its subsidiary PT Toba Bara Energi, or TBAE, TBS Energi Utama acquired PT Adimitra Energi Hidro, or AEH, in 2020. AEH develops a mini-hydropower plant with a capacity of 2 × 3 MW in Sumberjaya, Lampung.
At the same time, TBS Energi Utama also acquired PT Bayu Alam Sejahtera, or BAS, which is developing wind power potential in East Nusa Tenggara.
The AEH mini-hydropower plant reached its Commercial Operation Date on January 22, 2025, and now supplies 6 MW of clean electricity to the Southern Sumatra power system.
In addition to producing stable, low-emission energy, the project also benefits local communities through infrastructure development, improved access to electricity, and support for environmental conservation efforts.
Beyond hydropower, TBS Energi Utama is also developing the Tembesi Floating Solar Power Plant in Batam.
The project completed its Financial Closing in 2024 and is targeted to begin commercial operations and connect to the national electricity grid in 2026.
The floating solar power plant is expected to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, create green jobs, encourage technology transfer, and strengthen collaboration with local communities.
Through these projects, TBS Energi Utama demonstrates its commitment to supporting the acceleration of Indonesia’s transition toward new and renewable energy.
This initiative represents an important step toward building a cleaner, more resilient, and sustainable national energy system for a better future for generations to come.
