Gov’t to Strengthen Energy Self-Sufficiency through Solar Farm, National EV Project

The Government is targeting the development of up to 100 gigawatts of solar power capacity while accelerating the phaseout of diesel-fired power plants.

“This year, we will build solar power plant with a capacity of 30 gigawatts and stop the operation of diesel power plant with a capacity of 13 gigawatts. We are blessed by God the Almighty with almost all year long sunshine,” President Prabowo Subianto said in a speech at the Nusantara building in Central Jakarta, Friday (08/14).

The President further said that the development of up to 100 GW of solar power capacity is estimated to save at least Rp73.9 trillion annually through lower electricity generation costs. “That does not even include the saving from no longer having to import fuel from abroad. With a 100-gigawatt solar power plant, our needs to import will decrease significantly and we can save substantial amount of earnings,” he added.

In addition, as part of the agenda to electrify public mobility, the Government is also accelerating the development of Indonesia’s national electric vehicle ecosystem and reducing fuel consumption. The President also announced incentives for Indonesian companies capable of producing one million electric motorcycles domestically.

“This policy has three goals at once: reducing transportation costs for the people, decreasing the consumption of imported fuel, and expanding the national electric motorcycle industry as well as the supply chain for its batteries, components, software, and after-sales,” President Prabowo said.

Furthermore, the Head of State underscored that Indonesia possesses nearly all the elements needed to develop an electric vehicle battery ecosystem. According to him, every domestically produced electric vehicle is not merely a means of transportation, but also brings benefits to the people and the nation.

“First, saving for the people, saving for their families. We estimate they will spend 50 percent lower than their current spendings for fuel-powered motorcycles. It could even fall to 30 percent of what they currently spend. Decreasing the energy imports, and more importantly, employment and income for Indonesian generation,” he concluded. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (GWH/AW)