Prabowo launches 100 GWp solar power programme, challenges energy team to finish in two years
President Prabowo Subianto has launched a Solar Power Plant (PLTS) programme with a capacity of 100 gigawatt peak (GWp), with the initial phase involving the construction of 14 solar plants totalling 5.3 GWp across six provinces.
“I, Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, hereby officially launch the 100 GWp PLTS programme, beginning with 14 solar plants in the provinces of West Java, Central Java, East Java, Bali, the Bangka Belitung Islands, and the Riau Islands with a total capacity of 5.3 gigawatt peak,” Prabowo said in Jembrana Regency, Bali, on Tuesday.
The launch and groundbreaking ceremony took place at the Java-Bali Sea Crossing Operation Monument in Gilimanuk, Jembrana Regency.
Prabowo has set a target for the construction of the 100 GWp solar capacity to be completed within three years, and even challenged the energy team to finish it sooner, within two years.
He said the solar development is part of the government’s efforts to achieve national energy self-sufficiency.
“The essence is that with 100 gigawatts we will truly become a nation standing on our own feet. We will not fear any developments in any part of the world,” he said.
Prabowo said the solar development, combined with the utilisation of geothermal energy, the discovery of new gas fields, and increased oil production, is expected to reduce Indonesia’s dependence on energy imports.
The President also instructed the ranks of the Red and White Cabinet, the Daya Anagata Nusantara Investment Management Agency (Danantara Indonesia), state electricity company PT PLN (Persero), and state energy firm PT Pertamina (Persero) to work quickly and cohesively to realise national energy security.
In Bali, the programme’s development was marked by the groundbreaking of the Gilimanuk Solar Plant, located in the area of the Java-Bali Sea Crossing Operation Monument.
According to data from PT PLN (Persero), the Gilimanuk Solar Plant is designed with a capacity of 300 MWp and is equipped with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a capacity of 1,000 MWh.
The project has an investment value, or capital expenditure (capex), of approximately Rp6.057 trillion.
With an estimated annual energy production of 470 GWh, the facility is projected to save up to 151,000 kilolitres of fuel oil per year.
Overall, Bali is targeted to have a solar capacity of 1,000 MWp supported by a BESS capacity of 3,300 MWh.
The 100 GWp solar programme is part of the National Priority Work Programme under the Energy and Water Self-Sufficiency Cluster, which is directed at strengthening national energy independence and resilience as well as reducing dependence on fossil fuels.