World Energy Day: KAI Promotes Energy Efficiency through Solar Power and Digitalisation
113 solar power plants are operating at 92 locations, supported by digitalised services and water-refill facilities to manage resources more efficiently.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Energy savings at the railway company are being pursued through a range of operational decisions. Solar panels help supply electricity to company assets, digital technology reduces the need for paper, while water-refill facilities give customers an alternative to using single-use plastic bottles. These measures show how efficiency can be applied from the workplace to the passenger experience.
To mark World Energy Day on 22 October, state railway company PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) (KAI) is developing its management of energy and resources through renewable energy, greater operational efficiency and facilities that encourage more environmentally friendly habits.
According to KAI’s 2025 Sustainability Report, the company’s energy consumption fell from 11,945,467 gigajoules (GJ) in 2024 to 10,107,302 GJ in 2025. Energy use declined by 1,838,165 GJ, or 15.39%. Over the same period, energy intensity per passenger fell by around 22.05%, from 0.0263 GJ to 0.0205 GJ per passenger.
KAI Vice-President for Corporate Communications Anne Purba said energy management must develop alongside improvements to services. Monitoring consumption, using technology and developing alternative energy sources are part of the company’s efforts to use resources more efficiently.
“Efficiency needs to be translated into measurable operational decisions. We see opportunities to manage energy through company facilities, the use of technology and the ways customers access services. Each initiative has different benefits, but all must be directed towards using resources more responsibly,” Anne said.
One such effort is the operation of 113 solar power plants (PLTS) at 92 locations, with total installed capacity of 4,430.65 kilowatt peak (kWp), equivalent to about 4.43 megawatt peak (MWp). The facilities are located at stations, railway workshops (balai yasa), offices, operational facilities, depots and a records centre, supporting electricity needs across KAI’s operations.
Efficiency is also being achieved through the digitalisation of services. During the first half of 2026, 5,555,034 long-distance train passengers used the Face Recognition Boarding Gate facility. Its use is estimated to have reduced consumption by 13,888 rolls of boarding-pass paper, saving around Rp203.80 million. Reduced paper use is a direct benefit of digitalisation, although its energy-saving impact needs to be calculated separately.
In passenger service areas, KAI had installed 124 water stations at 58 stations, covering 70 service areas, by June 2026. The free drinking-water refill facilities allow passengers to use tumblers or reusable bottles. Under a conservative estimate, if 10% of long-distance and local train passengers in the first half of 2026 refilled their bottles once, the potential reduction in single-use plastic bottles would be about 2.99 million. This figure is an estimate of potential, not a measure of actual usage.
Anne said energy and resource management requires clear indicators so that the results of each programme can be assessed according to its benefits. Lower energy consumption, solar capacity, reduced paper use and the potential reduction in plastic are distinct but complementary indicators for evaluating the company’s sustainability efforts.
“Change towards more efficient operations comes through consistent steps. We continue to evaluate how energy and resources are used, while also encouraging customers to take part through simple habits, such as using digital facilities and bringing reusable drinking bottles,” Anne concluded.