Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia after the Groundbreaking of 50 Megawatt Solar Power Plant (PLTS), in North Penajam Paser Regency, East Kalimantan Province, November 2, 2023
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):
Yes, the readiness for its green energy has been prepared by state-owned electricity company PLN, currently at 50 megawatts, and it is sufficient for the capital for now. Later, if it’s still insufficient, for this solar power plant (PLTS), it can be increased to 80, but it can also be around the IKN where hydropower plants can be built, how many approximately, Mr. Director? A thousand megawatts. I think that potential will soon be included in the work plan.
Journalist:
So, it will be ready by August next year, right, Sir, on the 17th of [August]?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):
Now it’s already completed.
Journalist:
Sir, yesterday you mentioned that IKN is a long-term project for 15 to 20 years. How can we maintain this legacy and hand it over to the next government?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):
The most important thing is, for the government’s task, the ministries have been prepared, the presidential and vice-presidential palaces, the presidential office, everything has been done, including preparing electricity, water, and basic infrastructure. The second most important thing is the involvement of the private sector, the business world. It’s the second one that will speed up this process, not the government, the second one from the business world. And, we can see that the business world has started two or three months ago, with hotels, hospitals, malls, schools, training centers, everything has started. So, the third question earlier, is the electricity ready? It has been answered by PLN this afternoon, it’s ready. And, I also ask that this be an example of a beautiful and orderly city where everything should be ground cables.
Journalist:
After August 17th next year, will the presidential palace immediately move to IKN? Will the presidential palace be…
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):
If it’s completed, it will be used immediately.
Journalist:
Sir, has the continuity of IKN been entrusted to the three presidential candidates?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):
IKN has its law, and the law is supported by 93 percent of the factions in the DPR (House of Representatives). What else do you want to ask? Ninety-three percent, yes.
Journalist:
How about the acceleration of its construction, Sir? Even though it is supported by the law, what about the acceleration of its construction?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo):
As I mentioned earlier, the ones moving forward are the business world, the private sector, as we can see until December, there will be a realization of IDR45 trillion. But again, this is not a project for next year. It could be 15 years, 20 years, or even 10 years if the private sector is strong, why not? So, again, 20 percent of the budget is sourced from the state budget, 80 percent from the private sector.
(AS/MUR)