Indonesia, France seek to expand cooperation on renewable energy

Indonesia and France are seeking the possibility to expand their cooperation on renewable energy, ministers from both countries said in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Jero Wacik and French Foreign Trade Minister Nicole Bricq made the statement after their meeting at the energy and mineral resouces ministry.

Nicole's visit to Indonesia is along with businesspeople from 30 French firms, according to Wacik.

During his meeting with Nicole, Wacik said that Indonesia badly needed more energy particularly electricity.

"Right now the Madam minister (Nicole) said that she was very confident to invest in Indonesia on electricity, because of its market of 250 million people here," Wacik told a joint press conference after their meeting.

Nicole said that she would encourage French firms to invest in Indonesia.

"I come here to understand the opportunity of investment in Indonesia so that I can tell the firms in France," she said.

The minister said that France has both the experience and capability in developing renewable energy.

Indonesia's demand for electricity grows by 9 percent annually, but currently the country's electrification rate is only over 70 percent, the energy ministry said.