Pertamina (Persero) and Transportasi Jakarta (Transjakarta) are exploring the development of a hydrogen ecosystem for public transportation and low-carbon energy use in Jakarta.

The initiative was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Pertamina Deputy President Director Oki Muraza and Transjakarta President Director Welfizon Yuza in Jakarta on Monday (October 12th).

The MoU outlines cooperation between Pertamina and Transjakarta to examine the use of low-carbon energy in the transportation sector, including measures to reduce emissions and improve air quality in the capital.

Pertamina Deputy President Director Oki Muraza said that hydrogen use in public transportation requires cooperation between energy providers and transportation operators to coordinate its implementation.

"Through the signing of this memorandum of understanding, we intend to explore the development of a hydrogen ecosystem to meet the demand for clean energy in the transportation sector and contribute to energy security and emissions reduction," Oki said on October 12th.

According to Oki, the joint exploration includes the assessment and development of energy solutions, including the potential deployment of hydrogen-powered vehicles through a pilot project or proof-of-concept programme. The findings could inform decisions on the wider use of hydrogen in Indonesia.

The initiative is also related to Pertamina's Waste to Hydrogen (W2H) project, which examines the use of methane gas from waste to produce biomethane and low-carbon hydrogen. The project combines hydrogen production with waste management and is linked to Indonesia's target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060 or earlier.

Under the plan, two hydrogen-powered buses, or fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), are targeted for deployment in 2028. The buses are being provided by the South Korean Government as a grant to the Indonesian Government and are intended for use in Transjakarta services. Their deployment is expected to require the development of hydrogen production and refuelling infrastructure.

Oki said cooperation between the energy and transportation sectors would support the assessment of hydrogen for public transportation in Indonesia. Through its cooperation with Transjakarta, Pertamina plans to evaluate hydrogen as an alternative energy source and examine the potential application of low-carbon technologies.

"We hope this exploration will be an initial step in the development of Indonesia's hydrogen ecosystem," Oki said.