Prabowo Targets 100 GW Solar Power Plant Completion in Two Years, Orders Three Ministers to Execute

President Prabowo Subianto has set a target for the construction of Solar Power Plants (PLTS) with a total capacity of 100 gigawatts (GW) to be realised within two years. The ambitious target was conveyed directly to three ministers whom he has tasked with immediately executing the programme. The three ministers challenged by President Prabowo are Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia, and Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/Head of BKPM Rosan Perkasa Roeslani. Prabowo delivered the directive while discussing Indonesia’s efforts to accelerate the energy transition and reduce carbon emissions. According to him, Indonesia’s commitment to clean energy is now gaining international attention. ‘We are being talked about globally, why? Because we are leading in what? In reducing carbon emissions. They know we have the B50 programme. How many emissions do we save? 44 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. They also know that we are going to build 100 gigawatts of solar power. This year, PLN will start with 17 gigawatts,’ Prabowo said in Karawang, as quoted on Saturday. During the occasion, Prabowo directly asked for the commitment of his three ministers to realise the construction of the 100 GW solar power plant according to the set target. He stated that the construction of the solar power plants must be completed within a two-year timeframe. ‘100 gigawatts in two years. Can you do it, Mr Rosan? Can you, Coordinating Minister? Can you, Minister of Energy? I am not asking you to just carry it out, but can you? Yes, you can,’ Prabowo said while pointing to the ministers in attendance. The statement underscores the President’s push for the relevant ministries to move immediately in realising one of the government’s largest planned renewable energy projects. Prabowo also mentioned that state electricity company PLN will begin construction of 17 GW of solar power capacity this year as the initial phase towards the 100 GW target. Despite his optimism that the target can be achieved, Prabowo predicted that the government would likely face criticism from various parties over the plan.