Prabowo Attends Groundbreaking of 100 GWp Solar Power Plant Project in Gilimanuk
President Prabowo Subianto attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a solar power plant (PLTS) project in Gilimanuk, Jembrana Regency, Bali. The 100 gigawatt peak (GWp) capacity project is being developed on 320 hectares of land.
Prabowo and his entourage arrived at the Gilimanuk Sea Crossing Monument at 3.15 pm local time on Tuesday (25/8/2026). He proceeded directly to the ceremonial site and inspected the groundbreaking location accompanied by ministers and regional officials.
At around 4.30 pm local time, Prabowo and his delegation departed for Gilimanuk Field to take off by helicopter. Several ministers from the Red and White Cabinet were also present, including Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Investment and Downstream Industry Rosan Roeslani, and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.
President Director of PT PLN (Persero) Darmawan Prasodjo explained that Bali is the starting point for the 100 GWp solar power programme. For the initial phase, the target is 1,000 megawatt-peak (MWp) or 1 GWp, equipped with a 3.3 gigawatt-hour (GWh) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).
“With this programme, Bali’s electricity system is shifting from imported fuel oil to domestic energy, from expensive energy to cheap energy, and from fossil energy to new renewable energy,” Darmawan told reporters at the groundbreaking site.
Darmawan said the move is in line with Bali Governor I Wayan Koster’s programmes for energy self-sufficiency and clean energy. He noted that the cooperation agreement between the Bali provincial government, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, and PLN marks a step towards aligning Bali’s tourism with green energy supply.
The Gilimanuk solar project is positioned as the initial phase with a capacity of 300 MWp and BESS support of 1,000 MWh. Darmawan explained that BESS technology allows solar energy absorbed between 10 am and 2 pm local time to be stored for electricity supply in the afternoon, evening, and morning.
“This significantly reduces fuel oil consumption. Besides Gilimanuk, other potential dry land areas in Buleleng and Karangasem are currently being surveyed,” Darmawan said.
Bali Governor I Wayan Koster welcomed the clean energy project. According to Koster, the programme provides momentum to realise Bali Governor Regulation Number 45 of 2019 on Bali Clean Energy.
“Our task in the regions is to free up unproductive state land so that it can be used to provide broad benefits for the community,” Koster explained.
Koster said the transition to solar power will cut fuel oil consumption in Bali, which has reached 500,000 kilolitres per year. He added that the operation of the solar plant will also end dependence on imported fuel oil.
“The benefits of this solar plant not only meet energy needs but also enhance Bali’s image as a world-class tourist destination supported by a clean environmental ecosystem,” Koster concluded.
The first phase of the 100 GWp solar project is targeted for completion by 2029. The project is projected to save up to Rp 73.9 trillion per year in electricity costs.