100 GWp Solar Power: The Dawn of Indonesia's Solar Independence
An island long known for its natural beauty is now beginning to build an energy foundation worthy of the image it presents to the world.
For years, Bali has harboured a rarely highlighted contradiction behind its glittering tourism: the island still relies on diesel power plants to meet part of its energy needs, despite sustainability and natural beauty being its primary global selling points. This gap began to be addressed on 25 August 2026, when President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated the groundbreaking of the 100 gigawatt peak (GWp) Solar Power Plant (PLTS) Programme at the Java-Bali Cross-Sea Operation Monument in Gilimanuk, Jembrana Regency.
The 100 GWp target is not merely a fantastic figure for boasting. For comparison, the current total national power generation capacity—comprising coal, oil, gas, and geothermal—is around 88 GWp. This means the government is building solar energy capacity that exceeds the entire electrical infrastructure developed over many decades, with a much faster completion target.
Initially, the project was estimated to be completed within three years. However, Prabowo has challenged his cabinet’s energy team to accelerate its completion so that it is finished by 2029.
The government’s confidence in setting such an aggressive target is not without precedent. The President alluded to the experience of the food self-sufficiency programme, which was originally targeted for completion in four years but was achieved in just one. This same mindset is now being applied to the energy sector.
This optimism is at least grounded in concrete economic calculations. The project brings an investment value of up to Rp1,140 trillion, with projected employment of up to 5.5 million people. Furthermore, the programme is expected to potentially save national energy subsidies by Rp73.9 trillion annually.
This figure is specifically considered because the island still depends on diesel power plants. With this quota, PLN is projected to be able to achieve efficiency in diesel consumption by up to 0.6 million kilolitres.
The process of establishing this quota occurred very rapidly. Discussions between Bali Governor Wayan Koster, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bounded Bahlil Lahadalia, and President Director of PLN Darmawan Prasodjo were held on Saturday night, 22 August. The decision was approved by the President the following day and officially inaugurated just two days later.
Such bureaucratic speed is considered rare in national infrastructure projects. This indicates that the energy transition in Bali has become a top political priority, rather than merely a technical ministerial agenda.
For Bali, this programme aligns with the long-standing provincial government target of realising a clean energy-independent island by 2030. Until now, the narrative of sustainability in Bali has relied heavily on the tourism sector, such as waste management and environmental conservation, to support its green tourism image.