PLN to Decommission 2,139 Diesel Power Plants

PT PLN (Persero) plans to deactivate 2,139 units of Diesel Power Plants (PLTD) spread across 741 locations. The majority are in remote areas.

PLN’s President Director, Darmawan Prasodjo, stated that this step is part of the transition strategy and to reduce dependence on oil fuel (BBM). The diesel plants will be replaced with renewable energy-based power generation systems, particularly Solar Power Plants (PLTS) combined with energy storage technology.

The total capacity of the plants to be replaced reaches 1,076.04 megawatts (MW), equivalent to about 2,396 PLTD units. In its implementation, PLN will also consider other local energy potentials such as micro-hydro before determining the technology to be used.

“Of course, we will consider whether there is micro-hydro at that location. If not, we will design PLTS equipped with battery storage,” Darmawan said during a working meeting at Commission XII of the DPR on Monday, 13 April 2026.

PLN targets the construction of PLTS with a total capacity of 3.21 gigawatt peak (GWp) which will be combined with Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a capacity of 9.03 gigawatt hours (GWh). The combination is expected to maintain the reliability of electricity supply, especially in areas that have previously relied on PLTD.

With the energy storage system, Darmawan said, electricity from solar power can still be used at night or when electricity production decreases due to weather factors.

He explained that this programme is also a strategic step to reduce electricity operational costs. So far, the use of BBM in PLTD has incurred high costs and is heavily dependent on imports.

“We will carry it out quickly through transparent partnerships. The use of expensive imported-based energy like BBM must be reduced immediately, both in the short, medium, and long term. Not only does energy security increase, but costs can also be lower,” Darmawan said.