Chinese Enterprises Undertake Floating Photovoltaic Systems to Support Indonesia's Green Development
After driving southeast for over two hours from Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, we arrived at a peaceful mountainous area in West Java Province. Winding up along the winding mountain road, the view gradually widens. In the distance, under the blue sky and white clouds, the Zhilata Reservoir lies quietly among the mountains. On the water surface, the Zilata floating photovoltaic system has large photovoltaic arrays arranged neatly.
Electricity generation accounts for 25% of Indonesia's new energy generation.
Indonesia spans across the equator and is the largest archipelagic country in the world, with a vast sea area and abundant solar energy resources. The Indonesian government plans to develop solar power as the largest pillar of clean energy supply by 2060.
The Jirata Floating Photovoltaic System is jointly developed by Indonesia's State Power Company and Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company of the United Arab Emirates, and constructed by China Power Construction Corporation East China Survey and Design Institute Co., Ltd. The total installed capacity is 192 megawatts, and it achieved full capacity grid connected power generation in November last year.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo attended the grid connected power generation ceremony and stated that Indonesia's dream of having large-scale new energy generation projects has finally been realized. Indonesia will continue to explore various renewable energy potentials to support the goal of achieving net zero emissions in the future.
There are a total of 13 photovoltaic arrays on the water surface of the Jirata Floating Photovoltaic System. Each array is approximately 430 meters long and 230 meters wide, consisting of 48 sub arrays and over 28,000 photovoltaic panels. This is the first time we have undertaken such a large-scale and difficult floating photovoltaic system, and we have solved reporters. problems from design to construction, "said Wang Shaofeng, Deputy Chief Engineer of the project, to reporters.
Wang Shaofeng came to the Zhilata Floating Photovoltaic System in 2021, mainly responsible for on-site construction management of the project.
Our reporter took a boat with him to the deepest part of the reservoir, where the water depth exceeded 100 meters. Wang Shaofeng told reporters that the Zilata floating photovoltaic system is the world's first floating photovoltaic system with a water depth of 100 meters. Due to the complex underwater terrain, steep underwater slopes, and thick silt layers, it is difficult to secure anchor blocks during construction. In order to ensure the stability of the anchoring system, the project team has developed anchor blocks with high bearing capacity, which have solved problems such as anchor block slippage.
The Jirata Floating Photovoltaic System is Indonesia's first and largest floating photovoltaic system in Southeast Asia. It is a national key strategic project in Indonesia. The smooth implementation and grid connected power generation of the project inject confidence into Indonesia's energy transformation, "said Guo Xiaodan, the country representative of China Power Construction Corporation in Indonesia.
At present, the power generation of the Jirata floating photovoltaic system accounts for 25% of Indonesia's new energy generation. The project is expected to generate 300,000 megawatt hours of electricity annually, providing clean power to approximately 50,000 households. Wang Shaofeng stated that according to preliminary statistics, the project will save Indonesia 117,000 tons of standard coal annually, reducing emissions of carbon dioxide, coal dust, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides by 214,000 tons, 82,000 tons, 9,000 tons, and 4,500 tons, respectively.
Localization strategy provides guarantees for the smooth operation of projects.
On one side of the photovoltaic array, there is a "small island" floating on the water surface, which is the high-voltage equipment. Project site manager Tang Lijun is inspecting equipment on the'small island'. Tang Lijun opened and inspected the ring main unit, inverter, and box type substation one by one. We have to conduct manual inspections one by one every week to ensure the safe and smooth operation of the project.
Tang Lijun has been involved in project construction since the early stages and is now mainly responsible for electrical commissioning work. Since the construction of the project, he has organized multiple training courses and trained about 1,000 local workers engaged in surface operations.
As of now, the project has directly and indirectly created over 8,000 job opportunities for the local area. Tang Lijun said that most of the local employees on the project were farmers or fishermen who relied on the weather to make a living, and their income was very unstable. After working on the project, their income significantly increased, with a maximum monthly income increase of four times. After the project construction is completed, they can continue to work in operations or other projects with the skills they have learned.
It is reported that the project department also organized professionals to popularize photovoltaic knowledge in local middle schools, and cooperated with the local government to accept Indonesian university interns to intern at corresponding project departments, cultivating reserve talents. Yujia, a college student interning in the project department, said, "The staff on the project patiently provided us with guidance and assistance. Here, I learned a lot of knowledge and experience that cannot be learned in university.
Guo Xiaodan stated that the project construction process has always adhered to a localization strategy, using local design, construction, installation and other teams, and providing multiple safety and skills training for local workers, cultivating a group of outstanding talents in the photovoltaic industry in Indonesia. The localization strategy not only provides guarantees for the smooth operation of the project, but also enhances the overall skills of workers, contributing to the improvement of local livelihoods and economic development.
Significant achievements have been made in renewable energy cooperation between the two countries.
One, two, three, four, two, two, three, four, three, two, three four... moves moves! "Accompanied by the beat, a group of employees wearing safety helmets and work clothes are doing fitness exercises moves the open space.
The successful grid connection and power generation of the project cannot be achieved without the high attention paid by the project department to production safety. We have specially introduced a team fitness mode, hoping to promote the construction of a safety culture, improve the physical fitness of team members, reduce safety accidents caused by physical fatigue, and enhance team collaboration and cohesion. "Li Peng, the project safety director, told reporters that the project department continues to strengthen safety management and implement institutionalized management. Since the start of construction, 568 safety training sessions have been organized, with 4,849 participants.
The Chirata Floating Photovoltaic System is a microcosm of pragmatic cooperation between China, India, and Nepal. In recent years, significant achievements have been made in renewable energy cooperation between China and Indonesia. The successful diversion of the Batang hydropower station in Indonesia, constructed by China Power Construction, has laid an important foundation for subsequent work. Chinese company Trina Solar has signed a cooperation agreement with Indonesia to build the first photovoltaic cell and module production base in Indonesia... "China has advanced technological experience in renewable energy, and strengthening cooperation with China will help Indonesia achieve its energy transition goals smoothly." Agung Pribati, Director of the Mineral, Coal, and Geothermal Resources Center of the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, said that China will play an important role in helping Indonesia achieve its carbon neutrality goals.
"Following the first high-speed railway in Indonesia, the Yavan high-speed railway, the Cilata floating photovoltaic system has become another landmark project within the framework of the joint construction of the Belt and Road between Indonesia and China." Veronica, head of the China Research Center of the Indonesia International Strategic Research Center, said that cooperation with China will further improve Indonesia's overall technical and management capabilities in the field of green energy. The successful operation of the Jirata floating photovoltaic system once again demonstrates the achievements and potential of cooperation between Indonesia and China in the field of renewable energy. Looking ahead, the two countries will continue to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership and better achieve mutual benefit and win-win cooperation.
