Put on the Spot, Bahlil and Rosan Given New Heavy Task by Prabowo

President Prabowo Subianto has issued a new, heavy task to his ministers following the successful implementation of the B50 biodiesel mandate. The President directly challenged Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia, Minister of Investment and Downstreaming Rosan Roeslani, and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto to realise an installed solar power plant (PLTS) capacity of 100 Giga Watts (GW) within two years. “We have just achieved B50, what about when we build 100 GW of solar power, which we have already announced to the world? This year, PLN will start with 17 GW. 100 GW in two years, can we do it? Mr Rosan? Can we? Can we?” Prabowo asked during a speech in Karawang, West Java, on Thursday (09/07/2026). He directly put his ministers on the spot, demanding they confirm the target’s feasibility. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) estimates the 100 GW solar power project will require funding of around US$100 billion. Director General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation, Eniya Listiani Dewi, explained that the government is currently synchronising national electricity planning to support this target. The government aims for the majority of the project’s funding to come from Independent Power Producers (IPPs). “I think 70% will come from IPPs, so the private sector will join this massive programme,” Eniya stated. A primary focus of the 100 GW solar power development is to reduce the use of diesel power plants, which are prevalent in eastern Indonesia. Eniya noted that the cost of electricity from diesel in some remote locations is very high. The ministry is committed to streamlining regulations to facilitate investment, asserting that there will be no more lengthy licensing processes.