Defining Transition Finance: A Dialogue with Putra Adhiguna on Southeast Asia's “Energy Shift”
This interview was originally published on the Southeast Asia Information Platform for the Energy Transition.
The use of transition finance will be a cornerstone element needed to drive Southeast Asia's shift from fossil fuels to a sustainable energy future. However, the role, definition, and implementation of transition finance remain complex. SIPET Connect kicks off a "Transition Finance Series" of deep interviews to explore the essential role of financial instruments in advancing the energy transition across Southeast Asia. Each month, for the next five months, we will feature an interview with an expert practitioner, to probe their views on the topic, solicit their suggestions for successful finance strategies, and ask for their candid views on what works, and—frankly—what is holding up progress in the area of transition finance.
This month, we kick off the Transition Finance Series with Putra Adhiguna, a co-founder of the Energy Shift Institute and former Asia Technology Research Lead at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA.) Putra brings nearly two decades of leadership experience at the intersection of energy, finance, and policy in Southeast Asia. He has been instrumental in shaping discussions on energy transition strategies in Indonesia and the region. His insights have been featured in prominent outlets such as Straits Times, Bloomberg, and The Wall Street Journal, underscoring his influence in the field. A trusted advisor to corporations, financial institutions, and public officials, Putra combines a deep understanding of Indonesia’s energy landscape with regional expertise, making him uniquely positioned to address the critical role of transition finance in driving Southeast Asia’s sustainable energy future.
In this first installment, Putra talks with Peter du Pont, Senior Advisor to SIPET and Co-CEO of Asia Clean Energy Partners. He shares his perspectives on the unique challenges and opportunities for transition finance in Southeast Asia—highlighting the distinction between green finance and transition finance, the need for setting pragmatic near-term targets for decarbonization, and strategies for advancing energy transitions in Indonesia and the region.
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