KKP and PLN Synchronise Marine Spatial Planning for Electricity Infrastructure

Marine spatial planning is not merely a policy and regulatory instrument, but a strategic tool to balance economic, social, and ecological interests. Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) and PT PLN (Persero) have signed a cooperation agreement on the implementation of marine spatial planning to support the development of national electricity infrastructure. Director General of Marine Spatial Planning at KKP, Kartika Listriana, stated that the cooperation aims to ensure that the spatial needs for the electricity infrastructure network are incorporated into the national spatial planning. “Marine spatial planning is not just a policy and regulatory instrument, but a strategic instrument to balance economic, social, and ecological interests,” said Kartika in an official statement in Jakarta on Monday. According to her, marine spatial planning can synergise and integrate national priority programmes, particularly in supporting energy independence and resilience. Kartika added that marine spatial planning is also crucial for maintaining ecological functions and marine biodiversity, including the protection of blue carbon ecosystems to support targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, Director of Legal and Human Capital Management at PT PLN (Persero), Yusuf Didi Setiarto, stated that the utilisation of marine space is a crucial aspect in the development of electricity infrastructure, such as power plants in coastal areas, submarine cable networks, substations, and other supporting facilities. According to Yusuf, integration between electricity development and marine spatial planning policies is necessary to create legal certainty, permitting efficiency, and protection of marine ecosystems. “This collaboration is a concrete manifestation of the spirit of mutual cooperation in national development and an important foundation for supporting national energy resilience and sovereignty,” he said. The scope of the cooperation includes the implementation of marine spatial planning, fulfilment of permits for marine space utilisation activities, fulfilment of marine space utilisation obligations, sharing of permitting data and information, and strengthening of human resource capacity. KKP stated that this cooperation aligns with the government’s blue economy policy to support sustainable marine development while improving the welfare of coastal communities.