Prabowo Aims to Accelerate Solar Power Plants to End Remote Islands' Reliance on Diesel

President Prabowo Subianto is pushing for the construction of Solar Power Plants (PLTS) to reach 100,000 megawatts, or 100 gigawatts. Prabowo stated that the programme is part of the government’s efforts to enhance national energy independence.

He made the remarks during his speech at the plenary session for the State Budget Bill at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Friday (14/8/2026). Prabowo said the government will accelerate the decommissioning of Diesel Power Plants (PLTD) and replace them with solar power.

“We have started and will build 100,000 megawatts or 100 gigawatts of energy from the sun, solar energy,” Prabowo said. “The government will accelerate the closure of Diesel Power Plants and replace them with Solar Power Plants. This year we will build 30 gigawatts of Solar Power Plants and immediately decommission 13 gigawatts of Diesel Power Plants,” he continued.

Prabowo noted that Indonesia is blessed with year-round sunshine. He then highlighted the situation on several remote islands that still depend on fuel oil shipments for electricity. “We are blessed by God Almighty with sunshine almost all year round. It is illogical that our remote islands have to wait for ships carrying diesel fuel to obtain electricity,” he stated.

According to Prabowo, the use of solar power can reduce economic costs. Furthermore, solar power is seen as enhancing energy independence in remote areas. “The economic cost is too inefficient. With solar power, we can also build our energy independence,” he said.

Additionally, Prabowo proposed the idea that every village should have a solar power plant with a capacity of 1 megawatt. He suggested that the government could support the construction if the village provides adequate land. “Ideally, every village could have a 1 MW solar power plant. This is ideal. If the village prepares the land, we can ensure they get a 1 megawatt plant, one megawatt per village,” he explained.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Prabowo revealed, has calculated that building 100 gigawatts of solar power could save at least Rp73.9 trillion annually from the reduction in the basic cost of electricity production. “The Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs has calculated that with 100 gigawatts of solar power, the state will save at least Rp73.9 trillion each year from the reduction in our basic electricity production costs. Not to mention if we no longer import fuel from abroad, with 100 gigawatts our import needs will be greatly reduced and we can save a significant amount of foreign exchange,” he concluded.