Indonesia to launch 36 solar projects

Intends to invest US$103 million starting this year.

Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and renewable energy director Alihudin Sitompul said the government is relying on partnerships to develop the solar plants because of difficult financial and technical constraints.

"So far, our policies regarding the development of solar power plants are already good. However, our partners should be able to decide whether the [solar plant projects] are feasible or not, so that they do not force themselves to do them," he said.

Indonesia currently has 117 solar plants and is intent on increasing this number to 153, up from 17 last year. It invested US$71.8 million in solar plants last year.