Indonesia President Inaugurates $108 Million Floating Solar Plant, 3rd Largest in the World
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Indonesian President Joko Widodo inaugurated a new floating solar plant on Cirata reservoir in West Java province. The 192 megawatt peak (MWp) plant is the third largest floating solar plant in the world and is expected to generate enough electricity to power over 50,000 homes.
The plant was developed by PLN Nusantara Power, a unit of Indonesia’s state-owned electricity company Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN). It was constructed with a combination of private and public funding, including $108 million from the World Bank.
“This floating solar plant is a major step forward for Indonesia’s clean energy transition,” said President Widodo. “It will help us to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and achieve our climate goals.”
The plant is expected to generate over 300 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year, which will help to reduce Indonesia’s carbon emissions by over 200,000 tonnes per year.
“This project is a showcase of what can be achieved when the public and private sectors work together to invest in clean energy,” said World Bank Country Director for Indonesia Satu Kahkonen. “We are proud to support Indonesia’s efforts to transition to a clean energy future.”
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The floating solar plant is part of Indonesia’s ambitious plan to develop 10 gigawatts of floating solar capacity by 2030. Floating solar plants are a particularly attractive option for Indonesia, as they can be built on existing reservoirs without impacting land use.
“Floating solar plants are a smart and sustainable solution for Indonesia,” said PLN Nusantara Power CEO Darmawan Prasodjo. “They can help us to meet our growing energy needs while also reducing our environmental impact.”
The inauguration of the floating solar plant is a significant milestone for Indonesia’s clean energy transition. It shows that the country is committed to investing in renewable energy and reducing its carbon emissions.