Danantara Initiates Solar Power Plant Grant for Sumenep, Supplies Electricity to 2,000 Families
Jakarta - PT PLN (Persero) has signed an Operational Cooperation Agreement (KSO) with the Sumenep Regency Government to utilise two solar power plants (PLTS). Each solar power plant has a capacity of 1 megawatt peak (MWp) equipped with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with capacity of 4 megawatt hour (MWh). These installations are the result of a grant from the Torang IWIP Berbakti Foundation presented at Wisma Danantara, Jakarta, on Friday, 13 March.
Chief Executive Officer of Danantara Indonesia, Rosan Perkasa Roeslani stated that this initiative represents collaboration in expanding access to clean energy whilst promoting equitable electricity distribution, particularly in disadvantaged, frontier, and outermost regions (3T).
Rosan emphasised that this step is also in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s vision to accelerate the diesel replacement programme, namely replacing the use of diesel power plants (PLTD) with renewable energy-based generators such as solar power plants.
As a country with significant solar energy potential, Rosan continued, the government is targeting solar power plant utilisation to reach 100 gigawatt (GW) capacity in the coming years. This is an effort to strengthen national energy resilience and self-sufficiency.
“Much diesel usage will be replaced by these solar power plants, which will have positive impacts, particularly in terms of energy self-sufficiency going forward,” he said.
Rosan noted that utilisation of the grant at two locations will serve as a demonstration project expected to have an impact by bringing electricity to thousands of households in Sumenep Regency.
“It will impact 2,000 heads of household in two areas, namely Dusun Gili Labak and Desa Pagerungan Kecil, since each is 1 MW. So this will happen to be a pilot project and we hope it can be realised quickly,” Rosan added.
Previously, residents of Dusun Gili Labak, Desa Kombang, Kecamatan Talango used private generators to power lights and electronics in their homes. For residents of Desa Pagerungan Kecil, Kecamatan Sapeken, the donated solar power plant will supplement electricity supply currently supported by PLN’s 50 kilowatt peak (kWp) solar power plant after two unit diesel generators operated by the Village-Owned Enterprise (BUMDes) totalling 600 kilovolt ampere (kVA) ceased operations.
In detail, the grant comprises two solar power plant units with capacity of 1 MWp each equipped with a 4 MWh BESS. The installation, once constructed, is projected to supply electricity to residents for 24 hours and has the potential to save fuel oil consumption by 1.1 million litres per year.
Head of the Torang IWIP Berbakti Foundation, Wahyu Budhi Santoso, explained that the donation of solar power plants plus battery storage to Sumenep Regency is part of the foundation’s commitment to supporting the government’s programme to expand energy access for communities in various regions of Indonesia.
“We hope that after this Memorandum of Understanding is signed, we receive direction so that the implementation of this project can proceed smoothly. We have great hope that the installation will contribute well to community welfare,” said Wahyu.
Sumenep Regent, Achmad Fauzi Wongsojudo expressed appreciation to all parties contributing to efforts to improve electricity access in his region. He explained that Sumenep Regency is an archipelago with a total of 126 islands, of which 48 islands are inhabited and face unique geographical challenges in providing electricity infrastructure.
“Certainly, with the presence of the grant plan to be delivered to Sumenep Regency we express our deepest gratitude. Because this is very important for us in continuing to push for increased electrification, so that it can be enjoyed by the community in Sumenep Regency, particularly to the President, Danantara Indonesia and also PT PLN (Persero),” said Achmad.
Meanwhile, PLN’s Director General, Darmawan Prasodjo, explained that this step marks a cross-sector collaboration momentum in promoting the diesel replacement programme through massive solar power plant utilisation, whilst supporting energy transition and equitable electricity access distribution across the nation.
“Thank you to Danantara Indonesia, particularly Rosan, for the initiative that drove this collaboration. PLN is ready to follow up on this cooperation so that the utilisation of the donated solar power plants can be realised soon and bring reliable electricity to communities in two areas of Sumenep Regency,” said Darmawan.
Darmawan emphasised that PLN cannot work alone in efforts to promote massive solar power plant utilisation. However, through collaboration among various parties, he is optimistic that the President’s vision to accelerate the diesel replacement programme through solar power plant utilisation up to 100 GW can be realised.
“Through strong collaboration with Danantara Indonesia and stakeholders, we are optimistic that the diesel replacement programme through solar power plant utilisation can be accelerated, so that its benefits are soon felt by the community,” Darmawan concluded.