Heaptalk, Jakarta — President Joko Widodo is optimistic that clean energy-based power plants in Indonesia can be developed well following the inauguration of the Cirata Floating Solar Power Plant (Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Solar-PLTS).
“The potential for abundant clean energy sources needs to be supported by inter-island electricity transmission networks and smart grid technology. That way, in the future Indonesia can fully leverage clean electricity,” said Joko Widodo when inaugurating the Cirata Floating Solar Plant in Purwakarta Regency, West Java (11/09).
The Cirata Floating Solar Plant has a capacity of 192 megawatts peak (MWp) added with a hydroelectric power plant (PLTA) which is already operating with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts (MW). Joko Widodo said, “Today is a historic day as our big dream of building new renewable energy plants on a large scale can finally be realized. We have succeeded in building one of the largest floating solar power plants in Southeast Asia and number three in the world.”
Leveraging smart grid technology
Through technological developments, the development of clean energy-based electricity can be encouraged. Technological innovation and solid transmission lines can answer the challenges of new renewable energy, primarily regarding intermittency. “In Indonesia, we can take advantage of the energy and I’m sure we can since now we have mastered the technology. For example, in solar and wind power plants there are weather challenges, and we can overcome them by building smart grids. This way, although the weather changes, electricity remains stable,” he explained.
Further, smart grid technology can encourage equal access to clean electricity for all communities. Inter-island transmission networks can also connect renewable energy potential in remote locations to economic centers that need more electricity. Joko Widodo added, “The solution is that we can build transmission lines to distribute any potential new renewable energy in Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi to economic centers.”
Meanwhile, President Director of the State Electricity Company (PLN) Darmawan Prasodjo said that his party is ready to carry out President Joko Widodo’s direction to scale up the use of renewable energy through the construction of inter-island transmission networks and smart grids.
Intermittency challenge in Cirata Floating Solar Plant
“We will go all out to carry out President Joko Widodo’s orders. We are currently implementing an accelerated renewable energy development (ARED) strategy which can increase the use of new renewable energy by 75% or the equivalent of 61 gigawatts (GW) by 2040,” said Darmawan.
This strategy is carried out through the construction of a green enabling transmission line that will connect new renewable energy potential in remote areas with electricity load centers, such as Java. This infrastructure is also equipped with a smart grid, including generation, transmission, and distribution. This step is an answer to the intermittency challenges in power plants such as solar and wind, including in Cirata Floating Solar Plant. In this way, the electricity supply can remain reliable and sustainable.
“With this strategy, we can boost the use of solar and wind power generation from only 5 GW to 28 GW by 2040. We will make our best efforts to execute the President’s direction. We are ready to carry out the energy transition to ensure a better life in the future,” Darmawan concluded. (Translated by Sinta)
