President Prabowo arrives in Bali to launch Gilimanuk solar power plant development

President Prabowo Subianto landed at Gilimanuk Field, Bali Province, on Tuesday afternoon to launch the development of the strategic Gilimanuk Solar Power Plant (PLTS) programme.

President Prabowo, accompanied by relevant ministry officials in Jembrana Regency, arrived at the PLTS site at the Java–Bali Sea Crossing Monument, Gilimanuk Village, Melaya District, at around 15:30 WITA, greeted by enthusiastic crowds of residents and students lining the roadside.

His visit was scheduled for the groundbreaking launch of the Gilimanuk PLTS, initiated by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Danantara Indonesia, and PT PLN (Persero).

According to PLN data presented by PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo, the solar plant is specifically designed to spearhead the total elimination of fuel oil (BBM) usage in Bali’s electricity system through an integrated scheme combining PLTS and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).

The plant features a PLTS capacity of 300 MWp and a battery storage system (BESS) with a capacity of 1,000 MWh.

With an estimated annual energy production of 470 GWh, the facility’s operation is projected to save up to 151,000 kilolitres (kL) of fossil fuel per year.

The electricity generated will be connected directly to the 150 kV Negara–Gilimanuk high-voltage overhead line (SUTT) interconnection system.

Using an Independent Power Producer (IPP) procurement scheme, the project targets a Commercial Operation Date (COD) in 2028.

The Gilimanuk development serves as a primary pillar in fulfilling the overall Bali Province Scope target.

In total, Bali Province is targeted to have a PLTS capacity of 1,000 MWp supported by BESS with a capacity of 3,300 MWh.

This province-scale energy transition programme is projected to reduce fossil energy allocation by eliminating up to 0.5 million kL of fuel oil per year in Bali.

The launch of the Gilimanuk PLTS also marks the opening momentum for the implementation of the national 100 GWp PLTS programme.