The Indonesian government is reinforcing its commitment to expanding new and renewable energy sources, focusing on environmentally friendly initiatives such as floating solar photovoltaics (PV) on water surfaces of lakes and calm seas. This initiative prioritizes the development of Floating PLTS (Solar Power Plants) for projects with a potential capacity of more than 10 MW to ensure financial viability.
“Indonesia has large, widespread, and diverse renewable energy potential to support national energy security and achieve renewable energy mix targets,” said Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif at a media meeting.
Indonesia possesses a significant renewable energy potential across regions including Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Papua, with an estimated total of nearly 4 Tera Watt (TW). Solar energy accounts for the largest share at approximately 3,294 GW. Minister Tasrif emphasized that solar energy's vast potential extends beyond land-based installations to include floating PV systems.
The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is collaborating with the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) to utilize reservoir surfaces for solar PV installations. “By utilizing floating PV on several dams built by PUPR, we can accelerate an additional 14 GW. We have prioritized which reservoirs and lakes can be utilized, including Lake Singkarak and Saguling,” said Minister Tasrif.
The projected energy potential from utilizing water surfaces in lakes and reservoirs is estimated at 14 MW across 259 locations throughout Indonesia. Three key projects are part of the PLN 2021-2030 Generation Plan (RUPTL). These include Lake Singkarak (90 MW) in West Sumatra, which has entered the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) stage, the Saguling Reservoir (60 MW) in West Java, also in the PPA stage, and Lake Lampung (100 MW) in Lampung, currently in the planning phase.
The government's strategic push towards floating solar PV installations underscores Indonesia's broader renewable energy ambitions, leveraging its abundant natural resources to ensure a sustainable and secure energy future.
