Indonesia targets 100 GWp solar plant to power off-grid villages
“Through the 100 GWp program, we will bring electricity to areas and villages that currently remain without power,” the Minister said at the launch and groundbreaking ceremony for the 100 GWp solar power program in Bali on Tuesday.
He said the initiative would ensure all villages have access to electricity, in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s directive.
Earlier, the President had instructed the Ministry to provide 1 megawatt (MW) of electricity per village.
In implementing the directive, Bahlil said the state-owned oil firm, PT Pertamina (Persero), had supported a village in Sumatra.
“The village previously had no access to electricity, but it now has a 1-MW power supply,” he said.
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According to Bahlil, the availability of electricity had also helped villagers store their fish catch.
“They can now build cold storage facilities, allowing their fisheries activities to operate more effectively. The community now has access to electricity as well,” the Minister added.
President Prabowo Subianto, on Tuesday, launched the strategic 100 GWp solar power plant program at the Gilimanuk Operations Monument in Jembrana, Bali.
The inauguration ceremony in Gilimanuk was held simultaneously online with events at three other locations: the Gajah Mungkur Floating Solar Power Plant in Wonogiri, Central Java; the Sembur Village Solar Power Plant in Batam, Riau Islands; and the Rengit Island Solar Power Plant in Bangka Belitung.
The solar power plant in Bali has a capacity of 198 MWp, while its Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) has a capacity of 666 MWh, covering an area of approximately 211 hectares.
Lahadalia said the project is targeted to begin operations in 2028.
According to the President Director of PT PLN (Persero), Darmawan Prasodjo, the power plant is specifically designed to initiate the complete elimination of fuel oil (BBM) use in Bali’s electricity system through an integration scheme combining PLTS and a BESS.
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Translator: Putu Indah S, Resinta Sulistiyandari