Initial phase of 100 GWp solar power programme requires Rp135 trillion investment
Jembrana (ANTARA) - The government requires investment of around Rp135 trillion to build 14 solar power plant (PLTS) projects with a total capacity of 5.3 gigawatt-peak (GWp) as the initial phase of the 100 GWp solar programme.
Director General of New Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Eniya Listiani Dewi, presented the programme’s development plan while President Prabowo Subianto inspected the Gilimanuk solar plant in Jembrana Regency, Bali, on Tuesday.
The President viewed the development of the Gilimanuk solar plant in the area of the Java-Bali Crossing Operation Monument and listened to a presentation on the plan to develop 100 GWp of solar power across various regions of Indonesia.
During the inspection, Prabowo was accompanied by Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, President Director of PT PLN Darmawan Prasodjo, and Bali Governor Wayan Koster.
The solar programme is designed to utilise land, reservoirs, and the rooftops of homes and industrial buildings.
One development scenario is directed at reducing or even eliminating the use of diesel power plants in various regions.
The programme is also intended to expand electricity access in rural areas, support productive economic activities, and underpin the development of electric vehicles, induction stoves, and downstream processing.
A total of 14 initial-phase solar projects with a combined capacity of around 5.3 GWp require investment of approximately 7.7 billion US dollars, equivalent to Rp135 trillion.
The construction of these initial projects is projected to save the state budget around Rp4.6 trillion per year.
“Several projects have shown tangible results, such as the inauguration of solar plants on Rengit Island, Bangka Belitung, and Sembur Island, Riau Islands, which have fully replaced diesel,” said Eniya.
On Sembur Island, solar-powered cold storage facilities support fishing activities by helping fishermen store their catch.
Meanwhile, the government is targeting solar power development in Bali to reach a capacity of around 1 GWp.
Overall, the 100 GWp solar programme is projected to require investment of around 73 billion US dollars, equivalent to Rp1,140 trillion, with potential electricity subsidy savings of around Rp73.9 trillion per year.
Prabowo has set a target for the 100 GWp solar programme to be completed within three years and expressed hope that the work could even be accelerated to two years.