Strengthening governance key to accelerating 100 GW solar power investment
PLN Watch has stated that strengthening governance in the development of the 100 gigawatt (GW) solar power plant (PLTS) project is a critical factor in accelerating investment, enhancing public trust, and supporting the energy transition.
"PLN is currently entering a future energy project of highly strategic value," said PLN Watch Chairman KRT Tohom Purba in Jakarta on Saturday. He noted that the 100 GW PLTS programme is one of the national strategic projects with the potential to become a new engine for Indonesia’s clean energy development.
According to Tohom, the massive investment value of the project must be balanced with transparent, accountable governance and legal certainty. "Therefore, land acquisition, site mapping, and inter-agency cooperation need to be supervised from the outset to ensure they run well and provide certainty for all parties," he said.
Tohom appreciated the steps taken by PT PLN (Persero) in coordinating with the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) to prepare the land requirements for the solar power plant construction. He stated that this synergy is an important foundation for accelerating project realisation while addressing challenges related to land availability, transmission networks, and connections to substations.
He assessed that the government’s plan to provide approximately 28,000 hectares of land in Java is a strategic move to accelerate the utilisation of new and renewable energy. Tohom added that the entire process must be supported by a strong, open, and easily auditable administration system to increase investor confidence.
He also encouraged PLN to strengthen cooperation with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) on the prevention aspect as part of efforts to reinforce the governance of this national strategic project. "If PLN involves the KPK from the start, the message is very strong: this project is not just about clean energy ambition, but also one executed with integrity," he said.
Beyond governance, Tohom noted that utilising government land and developing floating solar plants on reservoirs are solutions that can increase cost efficiency and improve the project’s economic viability. He added that the development of PLTS integrated with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) will strengthen the reliability of the national electricity supply.
Tohom concluded that the success of the 100 GW PLTS project will bolster Indonesia’s position as a country serious about developing renewable energy in Asia, while opening new investment opportunities, creating jobs, and strengthening national economic competitiveness.
Previously, PT PLN (Persero) President Director Darmawan Prasodjo explained that the company is continuously coordinating with the Ministry of ATR/BPN and the Ministry of ESDM to prepare locations for the 100 GW solar power development in Java. From the proposed land, approximately 28,000 hectares have been identified, and after overlaying with PLN’s transmission network and substation maps, around 8,500 hectares are ready for immediate utilisation, with a potential generation capacity of 8.5 GWp. The development of floating PLTS on reservoirs is also being pursued, with an estimated 10,000 hectares of reservoir surface area available in Java, offering a potential capacity of 10 GWp.