Hydrogen energy in Indonesia: current status and opportunities of international cooperation within the BRICS framework

Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia, is actively seeking to strengthen its position in the global energy system. With its accession to BRICS in 2025, the country has gained a unique opportunity to expand cooperation with the world’s leading developing economies, such as China, India, Brazil, South Africa, and Russia. One of the promising areas of such collaboration is hydrogen energy, which is regarded as a key component of the energy transition and the achievement of climate goals. Hydrogen, particularly “green” hydrogen, produced through electrolysis powered by renewable energy, is becoming an increasingly important vital resource for decarbonizing industry, transportation, and power generation as well. Indonesia, endowed with abundant renewable energy resources, aims to become a significant player in the emerging global hydrogen economy, which is gradually gaining momentum. The country is already implementing ambitious projects and collaborating with some BRICS members to develop hydrogen infrastructure. This article examines the current state of hydrogen energy in Indonesia, its strategic initiatives, and the prospects for cooperation with other BRICS nations. Additionally, it provides an analysis of challenges and opportunities that the country faces on this path.