Indonesians and Chinese to build 200MW solar plant

A partnership among Indonesian and Chinese solar developers intends to build a US$600 million solar power plant in eastern Indonesia.

State-owned firm Shanghai Aerospace Automobile Electromechanical Co., Ltd and Indonesian solar panel company, Basel Investindo, have signed a memorandum of understanding to build a 200 megawatt solar power plant.

Basel Investindo President Edwin Henawan Soekowati said Indonesia is one country with the most potential to utilize solar power because of its tropical climate. He said, however, that Indonesia should be serious in developing renewable energy such as solar power as its oil reserves dwindle.

“The Chinese state company has expertise in making solar panels (since) this kind of technology suits the need of Indonesia’s rural areas, which have not yet been touched by electricity,” he said.

“Indonesia is now a net importer of oil. Looking forward, fossil fuel is getting more expensive. Now the government is chasing coal, but that will also run out one day. That’s why solar panel technology must be developed.”

Shanghai Aerospace engages in the power generation, and development and distribution of energy products, automobile parts, and composite materials in China and around the world. The company is into solar power generation and develops silicon materials, BIPV modules, CPV solar cells, thin-film batteries and silicon batteries.