Pertamina NRE and Cooperatives Ministry Accelerate Solar Power Plant Development on Sembur Island

Pertamina New & Renewable Energy (NRE) and the Ministry of Cooperatives are accelerating the first phase of construction of the Koperasi Desa/Kelurahan Merah Putih (KDKMP) Solar Power Plant on Pulau Sembur, Riau Islands. Corporate Secretary of Pertamina NRE Nur Hidayati stated in Jakarta on Monday that the project has reached 80 per cent completion. “This renewable energy-based solar power plant project, paired with the KDKMP programme, has achieved approximately 80 per cent progress. We express our gratitude for the coordination and support from all parties, especially the Ministry of Cooperatives and the community of Pulau Sembur, who are working to realise this project,” said Nur Hidayati. Pulau Sembur was selected as the location for this new and renewable energy project because it meets the main criteria for KDKMP development, namely having ongoing economic activity, an established KDKMP, but no connection to the electricity grid. In this first phase, the solar power plant is being built with a capacity of 400 kilo-watt peak (kWp) and supported by a 600 kilo-watt hour (kWh) battery system. “Eventually, the total installed solar power capacity will be 1 megawatt-peak (MWp) with a 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery,” she added. Nur Hidayati further explained that current work is focused on completing the electricity distribution network, integrating the battery system, and constructing supporting facilities including a 5-tonne capacity cold storage and a 2-tonne per day ice maker, which will be managed by the local KDKMP. This collaborative project between the Ministry of Cooperatives and PT Pertamina (Persero) through Pertamina NRE is the first cooperative-based solar power plant project in Indonesia. The model being developed positions the cooperative as the primary manager of the energy asset as well as the driver of community economic activities, ensuring that the benefits return to the members and village residents. “We hope the Pulau Sembur KDKMP Solar Power Plant can serve as an example of how renewable energy not only delivers reliable power but also creates economic added value, opens employment opportunities, and improves community welfare through synergy among cooperatives,” said Nur Hidayati.