PLN and IT PLN Prepare Human Resources for Energy Transition with Renewable Energy Training for High School Students
PT PLN (Persero) together with the PLN Institute of Technology (IT PLN) has organised a renewable energy training programme for school students through its Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) programme titled ‘Technology Engineering for Renewable Energy in Senior High Schools’. This initiative represents a concrete step by PLN to support the acceleration of the national energy transition and the achievement of the Net Zero Emission (NZE) target by strengthening literacy and preparing superior human resources from an early age.
The programme, which ran from July to August 2026, was held at seven senior high schools across Indonesia: SMA Taruna Nusantara Magelang, SMA Gama Yogyakarta, SMA Taruna Brawijaya East Java, SMAN 1 Binjai, SMAN 4 Medan, SMAN 5 Surabaya, and SMAN 94 West Jakarta. More than 250 students from grades 11 and 12 participated in intensive training covering solar power plant (PLTS) technology and waste-to-energy (WTE) management.
PLN’s Director of Legal and Human Capital Management, Nurlely Aman, emphasised the importance of involving the younger generation in tackling climate change challenges. ‘Accelerating the energy transition requires the involvement of all levels of society, especially the younger generation as the nation’s future leaders. Through this education, PLN aims to equip students with practical insights into utilising environmentally friendly energy around us,’ Nurlely stated.
Meanwhile, IT PLN’s Vice Rector IV for Cooperation, Ahsin Sidqi, affirmed that the energy transition needs support from all community levels. Through the training, participants were provided with a holistic understanding of solar energy potential and converting waste into energy. ‘We hope the energy transition is supported by all levels of society, including the younger generation. On the first day, we taught how abundant solar energy can replace increasingly limited fossil fuels. The second day focused on WTE, how waste problems in various cities can become a solution when converted into energy. We invite all levels of society. The key is energy independence and energy sovereignty,’ Ahsin explained.
The Head of SMA Taruna Nusantara, Major General Muhammad Imam Gogor, expressed appreciation for the initiative by PLN and IT PLN in providing training for both students and teachers. He expressed hope that the programme would equip future national leaders with the ability to innovate in addressing community needs, including utilising waste as a renewable energy source.
The programme was implemented through four stages: two days of in-class training, two days of practical project work, a checkpoint session, and the preparation of an accountability report. Each participant received training materials, mentoring, and a certificate. In addition to the training, PLN also provided assistance in the form of solar power plant units as learning tools for students, as well as Black Soldier Fly breeding equipment for organic waste decomposition and tools for making aromatherapy candles from maggots. To ensure the programme’s sustainability, the schools will integrate the solar power and waste-to-energy materials into extracurricular learning activities to be passed on continuously to subsequent student cohorts. PLN is committed to expanding the reach of renewable energy education to various educational institutions across the country. Strong energy literacy among the younger generation is a crucial foundation for the sustainability of the national energy transition towards a cleaner future.