Energy Council prepares regulation on national energy policy

The National Energy Council (DEN) is finalizing a draft presidential decree on the long-waited national energy policy which will be used as the basis in managing the country?s energy use and energy conservation program.

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Zahedy Saleh said in Jakarta on Tuesday that the presidential decree would comprise seven articles on the government?s energy policy in fulfilling the national energy needs as well in the management of the supply and in the establishment of an ideal energy mix for the country.

DEN held a meeting with Vice President Boediono on March 22, 2011 as the council's deputy chairman on the progress of the drafting of the presidential decree, he said, adding a plenary session would be held on the decree, chaired by with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who is DEN's chairman.

The decree would also provide guidelines on the use of new and renewable energy as well as clean energy as part of the country?s future energy development.

?The final draft presidential decree would soon be submitted to the council?s plenary session which will also be attended by the President,? he said.

He said that the council would need to hold two more meetings to finalize the draft before being submitted to the plenary session for approval. (godang)