Arup: Solar Power Plants Can Be Built Within 1-3 Years to Support 100 GW Target
Solar power plants (PLTS) are one of the technologies that are relatively easy to implement and can deliver a significant impact in a relatively short period. Projects can be completed within one, two, or up to three years.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Global infrastructure development consultancy, Arup, considers solar power plants to be one of the technologies that can be implemented relatively quickly because projects can be built within approximately one to three years, thereby supporting the 100 gigawatt (GW) solar power development plan in Indonesia.
“Solar power is one of the technologies that is easy to implement and can provide a large impact in a relatively short time. Projects can be completed in one, two, to three years,” said Arup’s Global Energy Leader, John Ammentorp, during a media briefing in Jakarta on Friday.
According to him, the 100 GW solar power development target is an ambitious goal as it provides the industry with a clear direction for energy development in Indonesia.
However, he noted that the realisation of this target requires certainty to attract investment, including certainty regarding land availability, project development stages, supply chains, and contracts.
Furthermore, Ammentage mentioned that the readiness of the electricity grid is a crucial factor in accommodating additional power plants. Grid strengthening must also include inter-island interconnection.
He added that grid planning needs to be supported by data regarding energy flows so that the government and industry players can understand the impact of adding power plants as well as electricity demand in each region.
According to him, such data can be used to determine the locations of solar plants, while simultaneously identifying the areas most suitable for placing new electrical loads without overburdening the existing grid.
Ammentorp stated that energy flow mapping is also necessary to identify potential bottlenecks in the grid and to determine the most appropriate locations for both grid development and new electricity demand.
With such an approach, he said, the addition of renewable energy can be carried out more balancedly while maintaining the reliability and affordability of the electricity system.
Indonesia, he noted, possesses strong solar energy resources, alongside geothermal and hydropower. A combination of these various energy sources is necessary to build a stable electricity system.
The Indonesian government targets the development of 100 GW of solar power within the next three years as part of efforts to accelerate the clean energy transition. The programme began with the launch of 14 solar power plants across six provinces, with a total capacity of 5.3 GWp, on 25 August 2026.