What does it really take to transition a country of over 17,000 islands toward clean energy? In this compelling episode of The Invisible Experts Podcast, we speak with Liliek Setiawan, a trailblazer in Indonesia’s renewable energy sector and founder of a solar energy social enterprise dedicated to advancing energy equity, environmental sustainability, and community empowerment.

Liliek shares his journey from the early days of Indonesia’s solar movement to launching bold energy solutions that serve industrial clients, urban residents, and marginalised communities alike—including in remote areas like Papua, where state electricity is nearly absent.

We dive deep into the paradoxes of the energy transition: Why is the electric vehicle (EV) movement booming while Indonesia’s grid remains powered by coal? How can solar adoption scale when regulations and financing mechanisms still favour fossil fuel infrastructure? What happens when “green” technology creates new environmental problems—like battery waste?

But this is more than a conversation about solar panels—it’s about values, leadership, and systems change. Liliek reflects on how Indonesia’s foundational philosophy of Pancasila has shaped his work, and how local cooperation and entrepreneurship can outperform centralised policy when it comes to real-world implementation.

With a sharp eye on the triple bottom line—people, planet, and profit—Liliek offers an honest look at the failures and potential of public-private collaboration, the pressures of international funding, and the critical need for a homegrown energy ecosystem that works for Indonesia’s unique geography and social fabric.

Whether you’re in the energy sector, climate finance, social entrepreneurship, or simply curious about how sustainability unfolds in the Global South, this episode offers practical insight and grounded optimism.

🔑 Key Topics Covered

✅ The current state of solar energy in Indonesia
✅ Why rural electrification must be community-driven
✅ Addressing the “near-poor” and energy vulnerability
✅ How Liliek’s enterprise bridges commercial and social energy markets
✅ Cultural values, national philosophy, and energy justice (Pancasila)
✅ Why battery pollution is the “blind spot” in green energy
✅ How UN and public sector partnerships shape on-the-ground realities
✅ Funding challenges: dependency on European green capital
✅ Youth entrepreneurship in Indonesia’s green industry
✅ Can decentralised energy models truly challenge state monopolies?

📌 How do you define meaningful impact? Can business, education, and spirituality truly align to serve justice? Join the discussion in the comments.

Guest:

Lliliek Setiawan:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liliek-setiawan-88253414/

Host: 

Andrés Morales:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drandresmoralespachon

Minca Ventures: https://mincaventures.com

🔔 Subscribe to The Invisible Experts Podcast for more powerful stories on impact, justice, and values-driven change.