PLN Requires 48,000 Kilometres of Transmission Lines for Renewable Energy
PT PLN (Persero) Director General Darmawan Prasodjo stated that a transmission network spanning 48,000 kilometres is required in the national energy transition strategy. He emphasised that this infrastructure is crucial for addressing the mismatch between the locations of renewable energy sources and electricity consumers.
Darmawan explained that the development of renewable energy has long faced a primary challenge in the form of a mismatch between supply and demand. Clean energy sources, such as hydropower, solar, and wind, are generally located in remote areas, while electricity needs are concentrated in economic centres.
“For fossil power plants, the locations can be close to demand. But renewable energy is often far from consumption centres, so a strong transmission network is needed,” he said during a working meeting with Commission XII of the DPR on Monday, 13 April 2026.
To bridge this gap, PLN is designing a green enabling supergrid that will allow electricity from renewable sources to be distributed widely and efficiently. This project is also part of the government’s efforts to strengthen energy resilience by reducing reliance on imported energy and shifting to more sustainable domestic sources.
Darmawan noted that this plan is outlined in the Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL) for 2025–2034. During this period, PLN targets adding 69.5 gigawatts of generation capacity, with around 76% coming from new and renewable energy. The sources include solar, wind, geothermal, and hydro power, as well as new energy such as nuclear with an initial capacity of 500 megawatts.
In addition, PLN will develop battery-based energy storage systems (battery energy storage system). Darmawan said this technology is becoming increasingly economical due to significant cost reductions in the past two years, allowing it to support the stability of electricity supply from intermittent renewable energy.
Darmawan added that the development of electrical infrastructure is now designed to be more measured and demand-driven. The planning of transmission networks, substations, and generation is adjusted to the growth in electricity consumption, both in terms of location, timing, and capacity.
“We ensure that this infrastructure development aligns with real needs on the ground, making it more efficient and targeted,” he said.
Since the RUPTL began implementation, PLN has accelerated project realisation. As of March 2026, out of a total of 547 priority projects, 353 have entered the procurement stage, 156 are under construction, and 64 have been commissioned and are operational.