Journal of Geosciences and Environmental Studies: Vol. No. 3, 2025. Page: 1-14 Analysis of Human Resources Readiness in Supporting Energy Transition for National Energy Security Fakhriyan Ardyanto*. Suyono Thamrin. Rudy Laksmono Department of Energy Resilience. Faculty of Defense Management. Universitas Pertahanan. Indonesia Abstract: The transition to renewable energy requires competent human resources (HR) to achieve national energy security. This study examines Indonesia's HR readiness for the energy transition through an integrated perspective on energy security and the defense science philosophy. This Received: 21-09-2025 systematic literature review analyzed 15 high-quality sources . rom 30 initially Accepted: 13-11-2025 identified, 2020-2. to examine human resources readiness for Indonesia's Published: 30-11-2025 energy transition. Using a PRISMA-aligned methodology, 13 key studies . journal articles and two institutional report. were selected for detailed analysis, with two additional sources supporting the development of the thematic The analysis integrates perspectives on energy security, defense Copyright: A 2025 by the authors. It was submitted for open access publication science, and defense anthropology to identify HR readiness challenges, with under the terms and conditions of the particular emphasis on regional disparities. Despite Indonesia's renewable energy Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4. target of 17%-19% for 2025 . evised from an initial target of 23%), current International License (CC BY SA) license realization remains at only 13. 1% . , revealing critical competency gaps in the . ttp://creativecommons. org/licenses/by-sa/4. 0/). human resources sector. Key findings include: Indonesia ranks sixth globally for energy-sector emissions . 97 million tons of CO2 in 2. geographic disparities exist, with Java having 204 educational institutions for energy training, compared to only 3 in remote provinces. Required competencies encompass multidisciplinary technical skills, adaptability to technology, and security-aware soft skills. Policy recommendations include energy security-based training programs, competency certification standards, the establishment of an HR energy security council, and the integration of defense anthropology principles into HR development. This research provides a strategic understanding of HR readiness requirements essential for supporting Indonesia's equitable energy transition toward sustainable national energy security. DOI: https://doi. org/10. 53697/ijgaes. *Correspondence: Fakhriyan Ardyanto Email: fakhriyan. ardyanto@mp. Keywords: Energy Transition. Human Resource. Energy Security. Renewable Energy Introduction The energy transition towards renewable energy sources is a global strategic agenda in facing the challenges of climate change and energy security. Indonesia, as a country with abundant renewable energy potential distributed across its diverse archipelago, initially committed to achieving 23% renewable energy in the national energy mix by 2025. However, as of 2025, the government is reviewing this target downward to 17%-19% for 2025 (IEEFA, 2. , reflecting challenges in renewable energy deployment despite the 1% realization. However, implementing this energy transition faces significant challenges, especially regarding the availability of competent human resources (HR), which varies substantially across Indonesia's geographically dispersed regions. https://journal. id/index. php/ijgaes Journal of Geosciences and Environmental Studies: Vol. No. 3, 2025 2 of 14 The uneven distribution of renewable energy potential and infrastructure across Indonesia's archipelago has created pronounced regional disparities in energy sector development and HR capacity. While certain regions, such as Java, possess more developed energy infrastructure and concentrated HR expertise, other regions, including Eastern Indonesia, face critical gaps in technical capacity, skilled labor availability, and institutional These geographical disparities present a fundamental challenge to achieving a nationally coordinated energy transition, as the competency requirements and resource availability differ significantly across regions. Understanding this spatial dimension of HR readiness is essential for formulating region-specific strategies that account for local conditions, infrastructure maturity, and existing institutional capacity. In the context of energy security, a deep theoretical understanding will be an important foundation for understanding the dynamics of the energy transition. Energy security itself does not cover only technical and economic aspects. it also involves social, political, and national security dimensions. The principle of energy security requires the fulfillment of availability, acceptability, affordability, accessibility, and sustainability in the national energy system (Asri & Yusgiantoro, 2. From a regional perspective, energy security encompasses a region's capacity to develop, maintain, and expand competent human resources to manage renewable energy systems within its geographic and developmental The perspective of defense science shows that energy security is an integral part of national security. The philosophy of defense science invites us to reflect on defense activities, including conflict management, diplomacy, conflict prevention, and the securing of strategic resources, including energy (Aris et al. , 2. In this context, energy plays a critical role as a resource that affects national and regional security stability. The geographic distribution of renewable energy resources and the corresponding HR capacity to develop them represent critical dimensions of both national and subnational security considerations, requiring coordinated development strategies that account for regional differences in institutional maturity and human capital. In the vision of the Golden Indonesia 2045. Indonesia is expected to become a developed country, with a primary focus on developing superior human resources (HR) (Hadiningrat & Silalahi, 2. , and, of course, this is expected to support the achievement of the energy transition. This vision requires not only national-level HR development but also strategic regional investments to address existing disparities in energy-sector capacity. However, achieving this poses challenges, including managing the safety and security of the energy system across diverse regional contexts, ensuring regional electricity grids can stably accommodate renewable energy, and maintaining adequate technical expertise in each locality. https://journal. id/index. php/ijgaes Journal of Geosciences and Environmental Studies: Vol. No. 3, 2025 3 of 14 The energy sector itself is very likely to be a target in the energy transition to reduce carbon emissions from fossil fuels, given that Indonesia is among the largest, with an energy sector emission contribution of 691. 97 million tons of CO2 in 2022 (Mahdy et al. , 2. The geographic distribution of this emission burden varies across regions, with specific areas bearing disproportionate responsibility for emissions reduction and, consequently, requiring accelerated HR development to support renewable energy deployment. The existence of this research is important because there is a real gap between the competency needs of the renewable energy industry and the output of the current education system, particularly when viewed through a regional lens, where disparities are even more In the first semester of 2024, the realization of renewable energy reached only 13%, still far from the 23% target by 2025. The challenges range from policy constraints, infrastructure limitations, limited technical capacity and skilled labor, and renewable energy funding support (Abbas et al. , 2022. Syabriyana, 2. , and are not uniformly distributed across Indonesia's regions, with some areas experiencing more acute HR shortages than others. Regional variations in educational infrastructure, institutional capacity, and access to technical training programs further compound these disparities. Therefore, this research aims to analyze the readiness of Indonesia's human resources (HR) in facing the energy transition for national energy security by integrating the theoretical perspectives of energy security and the philosophy of defense science, identifying the main challenges in developing energy sector HR competencies with particular attention to regional disparities and geographic contexts, and formulating regionsensitive policy recommendations to improve HR readiness in supporting an equitable and sustainable energy transition across Indonesia's diverse territories. Methods This research uses a qualitative approach and a systematic literature review. Data were collected from various reference sources, including open-access journals, policy documents, and institutional reports, during the period 2020-2025. Following a structured PRISMAaligned screening process, 13 key sources were ultimately selected for detailed analysis and presentation in this paper . rom an initial pool of 30 sources identified through comprehensive database searche. Literature Selection and Screening Process The literature screening process followed four main stages to ensure methodological transparency and rigor (Kirana & Hendriani, 2. https://journal. id/index. php/ijgaes Journal of Geosciences and Environmental Studies: Vol. No. 3, 2025 4 of 14 Stage 1: Identification and Source Collection In this stage, an initial database search was conducted across multiple databases, including Google Scholar. ResearchGate, and institutional repositories, to identify potentially relevant sources. Search terms included "energy transition Indonesia," "human resources renewable energy," "energy security," "energy competency," and combinations This process yielded an initial pool of 30 potentially relevant sources. Stage 2: Screening Based on Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria All identified sources underwent systematic screening based on predetermined inclusion criteria: . publications in the period 2020-2025. relevance to the topics of energy transition and human resources in Indonesia. peer-reviewed journal articles, policy documents from government agencies (Ministry of Energy. MEMR), international organization reports (Asian Development Bank. IEEFA. IRENA), and institutional research . availability of full text in English or Indonesian language. Exclusion criteria included: . sources published before 2020. studies with unclear methodologies or insufficient data. sources that did not specifically address the Indonesian context. Through this screening process, 13 sources were excluded, leaving 17 to proceed to the next Stage 3: Quality Assessment The remaining 17 sources underwent quality assessment using a standardized evaluation tool, adapted from the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT), to ensure methodological quality. Sources were evaluated based on the clarity of research objectives, appropriateness of the methodology, validity of the data collection, and relevance of the findings to the research question. Sources with significant methodological limitations were excluded at this stage. This resulted in 15 sources being retained for thematic analysis. Stage 4: Final Selection and Categorization From the 15 sources retained after quality assessment, 13 key studies were selected for detailed presentation in Table 1 based on their centrality to the research question and strength of evidence. These 13 studies represent the most directly relevant and high-impact The remaining two sources from the quality-assessed pool were synthesized to support the thematic analysis framework, contributing to theme identification and interpretation without individual detailed presentation. The 13 key studies were distributed as follows: 11 from journals, two from institutional reports, and two from international organization reports. Table 1 presents a summary of the key reviewed studies, including author. , publication year, primary focus, and main findings: https://journal. id/index. php/ijgaes Journal of Geosciences and Environmental Studies: Vol. No. 3, 2025 5 of 14 Table 1. Summary of 13 Key Studies Selected for Detailed Analysis Author. Study Focus Main Findings Relevance to HR Readiness Skills assessment for the electricity sector in Indonesia Only 31 vocational schools offer renewable energy engineering. 1,193 significant geographic disparity with Java having 204 institutions remote areas only 3 Geographic institutional gaps in HR capacity Solar utilization promotion Limited community awareness of renewable energy technology Need for enhanced Year Asian Development Bank Abbas et al. Asri Yusgiantoro Energy framework and policy Aris et al. Philosophy of defense science perspective on Five dimensions of energy . vailability, require HR competency for Energy security is integral to national defense. it requires specialized competencies Hadiningrat & Silalahi Golden Indonesia 2045 vision and HR Vision emphasizes superior HR development as a foundation for Hermawan & Prabhawati Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) Hidayahl et al. Defense anthropology and state defense Implementation include regulatory and technical requires coordinated HR Socio-cultural context essential in policy implementation. anthropology needed Kirana Hendriani Systematic literature review methodology Structured approach to literature analysis enhances research rigor Progress in the Indonesia's net-zero 13% realization of renewable energy as of 2024. include limited skilled labor and Target revised downward from 23% to 17-19% for 2025. Syabriyana IEEFA https://journal. id/index. php/ijgaes Theoretical foundation for HR Integration of the security perspective in HR development Strategic alignment of with the national Practical barriers to Cultural sensitivity is Methodological foundation for the current study design Evidence current HR readiness Justification capacity building Journal of Geosciences and Environmental Studies: Vol. No. 3, 2025 Author. Year Mahdy et al. Wardhana Yusgiantoro et Study Focus Analyze the effect of CSR disclosure and leverage on financial of 45 energy sector companies on IDX JETP governance approach Energy security nexus in border regions 6 of 14 Main Findings Indonesia is the sixth-largest CO2 emitter globally . 97 million tons in 2. The energy sector contributes 6% of emissions. negatively affects CSR disclosure (F = 5. Sig = 0. RA = 6. Institutional and stakeholder coordination challenges require enhanced technical capacity. Regional vulnerabilities: specialized HR needed for resource management in border areas Relevance to HR Readiness Verifies shows the company Financial constraints limit HR training it reflects HR needs complex Regional perspective on energy security and HR Thematic Analysis Process Data analysis used thematic analysis to identify patterns and main themes related to HR readiness in the energy transition. The analysis process included three main stages with specific examples of emerging themes: Stage 1: Coding and Initial Theme Development In this stage, all reviewed sources were carefully read and analyzed to identify meaningful codes related to HR readiness. Initial codes were inductively derived from the data without forcing predetermined categories, allowing themes to emerge naturally from the literature. Key codes identified included: "skills gap," "geographic disparity," "educational infrastructure," "industry-education disconnect," "competency certification," "training programs," "renewable energy competencies," "soft skills importance," "regional HR distribution," "institutional capacity," and "technology adaptability. " For example, multiple sources (Asian Development Bank, 2021. Syabriyana, 2. were coded as addressing "geographic disparity" when discussing differential access to energy-related educational institutions across regions, with specific examples such as Java having 204 institutions compared to only three institutions in remote provinces. Stage 2: Categorization and Theme Clustering Related codes were grouped into broader analytical categories to identify overarching This process resulted in five major thematic clusters: . Structural Challenges . eographic disparity, educational infrastructure limitations, funding constraint. Competency Gaps . kills mismatch, lack of multidisciplinary training, insufficient soft skills . Systemic https://journal. id/index. php/ijgaes Barriers . urriculum rigidity, inadequate Journal of Geosciences and Environmental Studies: Vol. No. 3, 2025 7 of 14 qualifications, poor coordination among training provider. Strategic Opportunities . ndustry-education partnerships, competency certification frameworks, sector-specific and . Contextual Integration . ntegration of energy security perspective, sociocultural adaptation, defense anthropology principle. For instance, the "Competency Gaps" category consolidated findings from multiple sources, emphasizing that the renewable energy industry requires multidisciplinary technical skills . echanical, electrical, civil engineerin. alongside soft skills such as motivation to learn, self-confidence, and security awareness, aspects that current vocational and tertiary education programs do not adequately address. Stage 3: Interpretation and Theoretical Integration The identified themes were then interpreted through the dual theoretical lenses of energy security frameworks and the philosophy of defense science, as articulated by Asri & Yusgiantoro . and Aris et al. Thematic findings were integrated with theoretical perspectives to produce comprehensive insights into HR readiness. For example, the theme of "geographic disparity" was interpreted not merely as an educational access problem, but as a threat to energy security that requires a coordinated national strategy. Similarly, competency gaps in workforce training were reframed as vulnerabilities in the broader context of national security. This integration process produced key insights, including the recognition that HR development for the energy transition must simultaneously address technical competency, security awareness, and socio-cultural alignment, reflecting the multidimensional nature of energy security as defined by the five pillars . vailability, acceptability, affordability, accessibility, and sustainabilit. identified in the theoretical Data Synthesis and Validation To ensure research rigor, thematic findings were cross-validated by examining convergence and divergence across multiple sources. Themes supported by multiple sources . , geographic disparities in HR distribution, as noted by the Asian Development Bank, 2021, and regional energy security considerations, as noted by Yusgiantoro et al. were given greater weight in the interpretation. Findings were also validated against the theoretical frameworks guiding the study, ensuring coherence between data-derived themes and theoretical predictions regarding energy security requirements and defense science perspectives. https://journal. id/index. php/ijgaes Journal of Geosciences and Environmental Studies: Vol. No. 3, 2025 8 of 14 Results and Discussion Energy security is a multidimensional concept that encompasses a country's ability to provide a stable, affordable, and sustainable energy supply to meet national needs. In the context of the energy transition, energy security focuses not only on diversifying energy sources but also on developing human resource (HR) capacity to manage complex, sustainable energy systems. The principle of energy security requires the fulfillment of five main dimensions: availability, acceptability, affordability, accessibility, and sustainability. In conditions of financial constraints, achieving these five dimensions simultaneously is certainly not easy, so it is not surprising that decisions are often made solely based on the lowest cost, without considering the overall impact (Asri & Yusgiantoro, 2. Perspective of Philosophy of Defense Science Philosophy of defense science is a branch of philosophy that discusses explicitly various matters related to defense science. The philosophy of defense science invites humans to reflect on defense science activities, including conflict management, diplomacy, war, war prevention, and how to end wars that occur (Aris et al. , 2. In the context of energy security, the philosophy of defense science provides a perspective on energy as a strategic resource that affects national security stability. Dependence on fossil energy or energy supplies from abroad can create geopolitical vulnerabilities that threaten national sovereignty. Research shows that threats in regions such as Natuna prompted Indonesia to build military bases to secure its sovereignty over the area, including energy resources important to the economy and development (Yusgiantoro et al. , 2. Anthropological Theory of Defense In implementing energy security policies, an approach that considers socio-cultural factors is needed. Defense anthropology theory provides a framework for understanding that the implementation of defense policies, including energy security, requires a synthesis between defense science with socio-cultural nuances and socio-cultural anthropology (Hidayahl et al. , 2. The concept of defense anthropology holds that the most appropriate way to implement defense policy is to consider a society's socio-cultural context. In the context of the energy transition, this means that human resource (HR) development should not only focus on technical aspects but also consider socio-cultural values and local wisdom in the implementation of renewable energy technology. https://journal. id/index. php/ijgaes Journal of Geosciences and Environmental Studies: Vol. No. 3, 2025 9 of 14 Indonesia's Energy Transition Condition from an Energy Security Perspective Indonesia itself has set ambitious targets for the energy transition, committing to reach 23% renewable energy by 2025 and net-zero emissions (NZE) by 2060. Based on BPS data. Indonesia's renewable energy mix in 2021 reached 12. 16%, underscoring the need to accelerate progress to meet the 2025 target. The Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) program launched at the G20 Summit in Bali in 2022 targets a peak emission of 290 Mt CO2eq in the electricity sector by 2030, with a 34% renewable energy mix. The program is supported by a minimum commitment of 20 billion USD from the public sector and private financial institutions to accelerate the decarbonization process (Hermawan & Prabhawati, 2. However, the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) implementation plan faces regulatory and technical challenges stemming from stakeholder conflicts of interest, inconsistent regulatory frameworks, opposition from the established fossil fuel industry, and limited implementation capabilities (Wardhana et al. , 2. From an energy security perspective, these challenges reflect the complexity of balancing the dimensions of availability, acceptability, affordability, accessibility, and HR Readiness Challenges in the Energy Security Framework Based on research findings and analysis from the perspective of the philosophy of defense science, several main challenges in the readiness of human resources (HR) in the Indonesian energy sector emerge. The challenges referred to are: Geographical Disparity as a Threat to Energy Security: The lack of skilled labor outside Java is a significant challenge to national energy security. Jakarta has 204 energy-related educational institutions, while provinces such as North Kalimantan and West Sulawesi have only 3 (Asian Development Bank, 2. This imbalance affects the availability of competent human resources (HR) for renewable energy projects in remote areas and may create vulnerabilities in the national energy system. Limited Education Infrastructure as a Systemic Challenge The condition of education infrastructure for providing human resources (HR) in electrical energy remains a significant obstacle, especially in the 3T (Frontier. Outermost. Disadvantage. In the education sector, for example, only 31 vocational high schools (Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan, or SMK) across the archipelago offer renewable energy courses, with a total of 1,193 students as of March 2020 (Table . (Asian Development Bank. From an energy security perspective, this limitation threatens the accessibility and sustainability dimensions of HR development. https://journal. id/index. php/ijgaes Journal of Geosciences and Environmental Studies: Vol. No. 3, 2025 10 of 14 Table 2. Top Competencies Studied in Vocational Schools (SMK. Program Construction and property engineering Geology and mining Building engineering Electrical engineering Petroleum engineering Renewable energy Students Schools Offering the Program 138,348 1,019 64,936 30,774 4,885 2,367 1,193 Source: (Asian Development Bank, 2. Industry-Education Competency Gap in the Context of Energy Security There is a gap between industry needs and the education curriculum. Most vocational high schools (Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan, or SMK. and polytechnics still focus on specific skills that are not aligned with the needs of the renewable energy industry, which requires multidisciplinary competencies. Factors such as unqualified teachers, outdated lessons, poorly equipped schools, and poor certification standards hinder the production of graduates aligned with industry needs and energy security requirements. Discussion The results show that the renewable energy sector actually requires human resources (HR) with diverse competencies, which must be adapted to the Indonesian socio-cultural Some of the needs of these competencies include: Multidisciplinary Technical Skills with Local Wisdom The renewable energy industry requires a workforce with multidisciplinary skills, including mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering. However, in the context of defense anthropology, the implementation of this technology must take into account local wisdom and the community's socio-cultural values. An energy sector engineer needs knowledge and understanding of various engineering fields, as well as sensitivity to socio-cultural context, to operate renewable energy systems safely and efficiently. Technology Adaptability with a Security Perspective The rapid development of renewable energy technology requires human resources (HR) capable of adapting to new technologies such as energy storage, smart grids, and grid New technologies such as renewable power plants, energy storage, artificial https://journal. id/index. php/ijgaes Journal of Geosciences and Environmental Studies: Vol. No. 3, 2025 11 of 14 intelligence, and machine learning in grid management require a workforce that continues to learn and adapt, while considering the security of the energy system. Soft Skills and Attitude in the State Defense Framework Based on a survey of 19 respondents from the energy sector, more than 80% stated that attitude is an "important" or "very important" factor in employee selection (Asian Development Bank, 2. In the context of defense science philosophy, the soft skills needed include not only motivation to learn, self-confidence, and open-mindedness, but also awareness of the importance of energy security within state defense. Education and Training Programs in the Perspective of Energy Security Indonesia itself has an extensive educational infrastructure for the energy sector. More than 2,500 vocational schools offer programs aligned with the electricity sector, and 383 universities offer electrical and energy programs. PLN Corporate University has 13 education and training centers in various cities, each with a different specialization focus (Asian Development Bank, 2. However, there are problems in implementing this education program from an energy security perspective. Many educational institutions have found it quite difficult to find instructors with extensive or recent industry experience. On the other hand, the rigid curriculum, which is challenging to align with industry trends, also poses a significant obstacle to producing graduates aligned with national energy security needs. Training programs from international donors such as the Asian Development Bank. JICA, and others also often overlap and even contradict each other, due to a lack of From an energy security perspective, this dependence on external programs can create vulnerabilities in the development of national HR capacity. Policy Recommendations in the Framework of Energy Security and Defense Science Based on a comprehensive analysis from the perspectives of energy security and defense science, this research offers recommendations that are expected to serve as a reference for policymakers. Some of these policy strategies include: Development of Energy Security-Based Training Program. In this case, vocational high schools (Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan, or SMK) and polytechnics need to develop training programs that are not only responsive to market needs but also consider national energy security. The program should be able to track graduates' performance and adjust its offerings based on long-term energy security needs, including courses on energy system security and energy crisis management. https://journal. id/index. php/ijgaes Journal of Geosciences and Environmental Studies: Vol. No. 3, 2025 12 of 14 Competency Certification with Energy Security Standards An industry-focused competency certification accreditation body is needed to collaborate with the private sector to develop training programs and certification schemes aligned with national energy security standards. This certification should cover both technical aspects and awareness of the importance of energy security to national security. Establishment of HR Energy Security Council A high-level coordination council comprising representatives from relevant ministries. PLN, private-sector companies, educational institutions, and defense elements should be established to review existing curricula and training materials from an energy security The council should recommend updates to new technologies and industry best practices that take into account energy security. Strengthening Cross-Sector Collaboration with a State Defense Perspective Then, strong collaboration among the government, private sector, educational institutions, and defense elements is needed to create an ecosystem that supports the development of energy human resources (HR) who are aware of the importance of energy security as part of state defense. A holistic approach that includes increasing access to quality education, competency-based training, and mastery of modern technology with an energy security perspective is needed. Implementation of Defense Anthropology Concept in HR Development The development of energy human resources (HR) must consider the socio-cultural context of Indonesian society. The implementation of renewable energy technology needs to be adapted to local values and traditional wisdom, so that it can be accepted by the community and contribute to sustainable energy security. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that Indonesia's human resource (HR) readiness to face the energy transition still faces significant challenges, despite its great potential. integrating perspectives on energy security and the philosophy of defense science, this research also shows that the main challenges include geographical disparities in the workforce, limited educational infrastructure, and competency gaps between industry and education, all of which have the potential to threaten national energy security. Competency needs for renewable energy include not only multidisciplinary technical skills and technological adaptability, but also awareness of the importance of energy security within national defense. Existing education and training programs need to be strengthened with an approach that is more responsive to national energy security needs and considers Indonesia's socio-cultural context. https://journal. id/index. php/ijgaes Journal of Geosciences and Environmental Studies: Vol. No. 3, 2025 13 of 14 In addition, the implementation of Indonesia's Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) program, which focuses on five investment areas for energy transition by utilizing renewable energy as an energy source developed as the primary fuel for power plants, requires the support of human resources (HR) who are not only technically competent, but also have an awareness of the importance of energy security in the context of national The proposed policy recommendations include the development of energy securitybased training programs, competency certification with energy security standards, the establishment of an HR energy security council, strengthening cross-sector collaboration with a state defense perspective, and implementing the concept of defense anthropology in HR development. The implementation of these recommendations is expected to improve the readiness of Indonesian human resources (HR) to support the energy transition, achieve sustainable national energy security, and contribute to national security and stability. References