The global transition toward clean energy has evolved from an environmental discourse into a competitive arena among nations. Within the ASEAN region, commitments to net zero emissions and sustainable development have driven member states to accelerate the development of green technologies. These include renewable energy, energy efficiency solutions, electric vehicles, and innovative waste management systems. In this context, patents serve a dual function: they provide legal protection and act as indicators of national innovation competitiveness.
Indonesia, endowed with some of the region’s largest renewable energy potential, faces the dual challenge of fostering domestic green technology innovation while ensuring adequate legal protection. A surge in green technology patent applications over the past decade reflects a paradigm shift from resource exploitation to a knowledge-based economy. The critical question remains whether Indonesia’s patent system can adequately support its ambition to achieve clean energy goals by 2030, particularly in the face of competition from regional peers such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.
The Surge in Green Technology Patents and Incentive Policies
Globally, green technology patents have increased significantly following the Paris Agreement of 2015. Southeast Asia has mirrored this trend, with investments in renewable energy rising sharply. Reports indicate that green investment in ASEAN surged by 43 percent in 2025, with solar power and waste management technologies leading the growth. Indonesia contributed approximately 25 percent of the region’s green energy investments.
The growth in patent applications is linked to national policies integrating sustainability into intellectual property frameworks. One emerging approach is the green patent incentive, which provides expedited patent examination, reduced application fees, and commercialization priority for inventions that contribute to environmental protection or climate change mitigation. Characteristics of green technologies include sustainability, use of renewable resources, waste reduction, recycling processes, environmental safety, and benefits to ecosystems.
Research from the University of Indonesia suggests that green patent incentives encourage technology startups to register patents domestically. Similar programs in Japan, South Korea, and Singapore have successfully increased the number of clean energy patents. Indonesia has begun adopting this approach administratively within the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DJKI), though it is not yet explicitly codified in law.
Patent Law and Green Technology in Indonesia
Under Indonesian patent law, regulated by Law No. 65/2024 amending Law No. 13/2016 on Patents (“UU Paten 2024”), green technology inventions remain subject to the fundamental patentability criteria: novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability, as stipulated in Article 3 of the UU Paten 2016. Labeling an invention as “green” does not automatically confer patent protection without meeting these substantive standards.
Also read: Panduan Lengkap Pengajuan Paten Internasional melalui PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty)
Strategic Importance of Patent Registration
Patent registration is more than a legal formality; it represents an economic and strategic instrument in the regional race toward net zero emissions. Effective patent protection strengthens a country’s position in global clean energy supply chains, including investment and technology transfer collaborations.
For Indonesian inventors and businesses, patents grant exclusive rights for 20 years (for standard patents) or 10 years (for simple patents), including the right to prevent others from making, using, selling, importing, or leasing the patented invention without authorization. In the high-risk, capital-intensive green technology sector, legal certainty is essential for sustainable investment.
Patents also function as high-value intangible assets. Global renewable energy companies often leverage patent portfolios for business valuation, financing, and cross-border licensing. Without proper patent protection, green innovations risk being replicated or patented first by foreign actors, particularly in first-to-file jurisdictions such as Indonesia.
Nationally, patent registration is in line with sustainable development goals and national energy mix targets. By increasing local patents, Indonesia positions itself as both a consumer and producer of green technology, reducing long-term dependency on imported technologies with high licensing costs and usage restrictions.
Patent Application Procedure in Indonesia
Under Articles 24 and 25 of UU Paten 2024, applications must include: the invention title, detailed description, claims, abstract, supporting drawings if applicable, power of attorney if filed via a representative, proof of micro-organism deposits if relevant, and declaration of genetic resources or traditional knowledge where applicable.
Applications undergo administrative review within 14 days. Complete applications enter an 18-month waiting period during which the application is published for six months to allow objections from third parties. If uncontested, substantive examination begins, lasting up to 30 months, assessing novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. Approved applications result in patent issuance within two months. Appeals are available in case of rejection, including administrative or judicial review.
Registering green technology patents is a strategic step for Indonesian innovators, providing both legal protection and economic leverage. Patents secure exclusive rights, foster commercialization, attract strategic partnerships, and enhance corporate competitiveness in the long term. For Indonesia to advance in the regional clean energy race, robust patent protection must accompany innovation, ensuring that domestic technologies contribute effectively to sustainable development and national economic resilience..***
Also read: Paten Teknologi Hijau dan Tantangan Daya Saing Indonesia di ASEAN
Ensure your green technology innovations are fully protected under patent law. Consult with a SIP-R Consultant to secure your intellectual property and strengthen your competitive position in ASEAN’s green economy!
Daftar Hukum:
- Undang-Undang Nomor 13 Tahun 2016 tentang Paten (“UU Paten”).
- Undang-Undang Nomor 65 Tahun 2024 tentang Perubahan Ketiga Atas Undang-Undang Nomor 13 Tahun 2016 tentang Paten (“UU Paten 2024”).
Referensi:
- Peluang Indonesia di Tengah Lonjakan Investasi Hijau Asia Tenggara. Kompas.com. (Diakses pada 16 Desember 2025 pukul 14.40 WIB).
- Investasi Energi Hijau, RI Kontribusi 25% di ASEAN. CNBC. (Diakses pada 16 Desember 2025 pukul 14.55 WIB).
- Ginting, N. T. (2008). Mitigasi dan Adaptasi Dampak Perubahan Iklim Melalui Penerapan Teknologi Hijau. Jurnal Pemukiman, Vol.3 No., 129–136. (Diakses pada 16 Desember 2025 pukul 15.17 WIB).
- Syarat dan Prosedur Paten. Direktorat Jenderal Kekayaan Intelektual (DJKI). (Diakses pada 16 Desember 2025 pukul 15.40 WIB).