Masdar and PLN NP agree to triple size of ASEAN’s largest floating solar plant

Masdar, the UAE’s leading clean energy company, in collaboration with PLN Nusantara Power (PLN NP), has officially announced the expansion of Phase II of the highly successful Cirata floating photovoltaic (FPV) power plant in Indonesia, with a capacity of up to 500MW. This expansion marks a significant milestone for Southeast Asia’s largest FPV plant.

The signing ceremony, attended by prominent dignitaries including UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, HE Suhail Al Mazrouei, Indonesia’s Minister of Defense, HE Prabowo Subianto, and Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs, HE Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, took place at the UAE-Indonesia Economic Forum. The event aimed to strengthen the clean energy partnership between the two nations and witnessed the presence of UAE Ambassador to Indonesia, ASEAN, and Timor Leste, HE Abdulla Al Dhaheri, and Indonesia’s Ambassador to the UAE, HE Husin Bagis.

Phase I of this groundbreaking project, boasting 145MW, is situated in the scenic Cirata reservoir in West Java, Indonesia, and is expected to become operational later this year. A recent regulatory development by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing in Indonesia now permits up to 20% of water coverage for renewable energy projects, opening the door for an additional 500MW expansion in Cirata, in addition to the initial 145MW.

HE Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, expressed his satisfaction with the partnership, stating, “The UAE and Indonesia share a common vision of achieving sustainable development, and renewables are at the heart of this vision. Such partnerships align with our priorities for COP28, where we will focus on tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030.”

HE Abdulla Salem Obaid Salem Al Dhaheri, the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Republic of Indonesia and ASEAN, highlighted the collaborative efforts in climate action and innovation that benefit both the environment and the economy.

Indonesia holds a strategic position in Masdar’s expanding portfolio in Southeast Asia. In addition to the Cirata floating solar PV plant, Masdar recently ventured into the geothermal energy sector through a strategic investment in Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE). The company also established an office in Jakarta in 2021 to strengthen ties with key regional players.

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Masdar’s Chief Executive Officer, commented on the innovative project’s significance, emphasizing its contribution to Indonesia’s net-zero objectives and the company’s commitment to renewable energy growth in Southeast Asia.

Indonesia is committed to increasing its renewable energy mix and has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060 or sooner. The expansion agreement, outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), underscores the UAE’s dedication to supporting countries worldwide in their decarbonisation efforts.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), scaling up renewables could save Indonesia up to US$ 51.7 billion per year, considering the impacts on air pollution and climate change. PLN NP’s President Director, Ruly Firmansyah, expressed delight in expanding the renewable energy portfolio in Indonesia, highlighting the growth potential for the Cirata floating solar PV platform, already a regional leader in size and innovation.

Masdar, established in 2006, operates in over 40 countries with a combined electricity generation capacity of more than 20GW. With ambitious plans to reach 100GW and 1 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030, the company has invested or committed to invest in projects worldwide with a total value of more than US$30 billion.

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