Indonesia aims to launch largest floating solar project in SEA

This 145 MW project will begin commercial operation by November 2022.

With the joint venture between a unit of Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) and Masdar in West Java, the Cirata floating photovoltaic power plant is expected to be the biggest in Southeast Asia and is set to begin commercial operation in November 2022.

Indonesia will begin work on a 145-megawatt floating solar power project, the largest in Southeast Asia, after state power utility PLN and Masdar of the United Arab Emirates agreed on financing for the project last 3 August, Reuters reported. 

"By securing the financial support for this project, we can immediately start the construction stage," PLN Chief Executive Zulkifli Zaini said in an online briefing.

"We are optimistic that, with the support of all stakeholders, this environmentally friendly project can start commercial operation on schedule," he added.

Indonesia aims to have 23% of its energy from renewable sources by 2025 and the government has said the country will try to reach net-zero emissions by 2060 by moving away from coal.

Financing of the project was arranged through Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., Societe Generale, and Standard Chartered Bank, Masdar said in a separate statement.

Construction of the project was underway, the statement added.

PLN has said it will start to gradually shut down its coal-fired power plants, which currently meet around 60% of Indonesia's energy demands, Reuters reported.

Around half of Indonesia's estimated 417-gigawatt (GW) renewable energy potential could come from solar power, but less than 0.1% of that potential has been utilised, senior energy ministry official Dadan Kusdiana said during the online briefing.

"We ask that PLN push for renewable development, including solar, considering Indonesia's potential for floating solar plants," he said.

Indonesia has 375 lakes or reservoirs where PLN could set up floating solar plants and generate an additional 28 GW of power, he added.