Floating Photovoltaic Systems Help Indonesia's Energy Transition.
Abstract: China-built Cirata Floating Solar in Indonesia, SE Asia's largest, generates 192MW clean energy, cuts CO2 emissions, employs 8,000 locals, and pioneers deep-water tech. Plans target 14.7GW expansion for sustainable growth.
The Cilata floating photovoltaic system undertaken by a Chinese enterprise is located in Cilata Reservoir, West Java Province, Indonesia. It is the largest floating photovoltaic system in Indonesia and even Southeast Asia so far, an important milestone in the history of clean energy development in Indonesia, and a microcosm of China and Indonesia jointly building the "the Belt and Road" and jointly building a community with a shared future for mankind.
On November 9, 2023, Indonesian President Joko Widodo said at the grid connection ceremony of the floating photovoltaic power generation project in Chirata, "Today is a historic day, and our dream of having a large-scale new energy power generation project has finally come true. He expressed his hope to fully tap into the potential of renewable energy in Indonesia by adopting the latest technology. Since the project was connected to the grid for one year, it has provided 267 gigawatt hours of clean electricity to the power grids of Java, Madura, and Bali, which has had a positive impact on regional and national economic growth and has become an important measure for Indonesia to promote energy transformation and develop a green economy.
The surface area of the Jirata floating photovoltaic system covers 250 hectares, with a total of 13 photovoltaic arrays, each approximately 430 meters long and 230 meters wide, including 48 sub arrays composed of over 28000 photovoltaic panels. The total installed capacity on the DC side is 192 megawatts, and the expected annual power generation is 300,000 megawatt hours, accounting for 25% of Indonesia's current new energy power generation. It will save 117,000 tons of standard coal annually and reduce carbon dioxide, coal dust, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide emissions by 214,000 tons, 82,000 tons, 9,000 tons, and 4,500 tons, respectively. It can provide tons, electricity for about 50,000 households.
The Chirata Floating Photovoltaic Solution is also the world's first floating photovoltaic system with a water depth of 100 meters. The reservoir where the project is located has a depth of 80 to 100 meters, a water bottom slope of 5 to 20 degrees, a water level fluctuation of up to 18 meters, and a silt layer of 5 to 10 meters, making the project construction extremely challenging. It is reported that this is the first time that China Electric Power Construction Group East China Survey and Design Institute Co., Ltd. has undertaken such a large-scale and difficult floating photovoltaic system. During the design and construction process, many difficulties have been solved, including the successful solution of anchor block slippage through technological innovation, demonstrating the perfect combination of Chinese speed, Chinese quality, and Chinese technology, and shining the golden signboard of "China Construction".
In the project construction, China Electric Power Construction Group East China Survey and Design Institute Co., Ltd. adhered to the localization strategy, using local design, construction, installation and other teams, and providing multiple safety and skills training for local workers, cultivating about 1,000 outstanding talents engaged in the field of surface photovoltaics in Indonesia. During the construction period, more than 8,000 job positions were directly and indirectly created, improving the income and living standards of local employees. At the same time, the project team also organized professionals to popularize photovoltaic knowledge in local middle schools, cooperated with the local government to accept Indonesian university students for internships in the project department, and trained relevant professional talents.
The Jirata floating photovoltaic system not only has considerable economic benefits, reducing Indonesia's dependence on coal and other fossil fuels, but also has the unique advantage of not occupying land, becoming a pioneer and model for further development of similar projects. According to data from the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, there are as many as 257 reservoirs and lakes in Indonesia that can build floating photovoltaic systems, with a potential installed capacity of 14.7 gigawatts. Indonesia is promoting the construction of three floating photovoltaic systems, namely Sakulin Reservoir in West Java, Lake Sinkraka in Sumatra Island, and Karangats Reservoir in East Java, with installed capacities of 60 MW, 50 MW, and 100 MW, respectively. The projects are planned to be connected to the grid for power generation in 2025 and 2026. Local media commented that the Chirata floating photovoltaic system presents a bright future for building a greener and more stable economy in Indonesia.
It is reported that currently, the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is considering further expansion plans for the Jirata floating photovoltaic system. An official from the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources stated that the Indonesian government is considering further development of the Jirata Reservoir. According to Regulation No. 7 of the former Minister of Public Works and Public Housing in 2023, the coverage area of floating photovoltaics shall not exceed 20% of the total area of the reservoir. The total area of Zhilata Reservoir is 6,000 hectares, with less than 5% of the area occupied by floating photovoltaic systems, and there is still significant development space.
With the deepening of cooperation between China and Indonesia, more and more Chinese companies are providing high-quality and high-level "Chinese solutions" with rich construction experience to help accelerate the development of Indonesia's green economy.
On August 28, 2014, the largest onshore photovoltaic project in Indonesia, the Karawang 100 MW photovoltaic project, constructed by China Power Construction Hubei Engineering Company, was officially delivered and put into use. The project is located in West Java Province, covering a total area of approximately 80 hectares with a planned DC installed capacity of 100.78 megawatts. It is expected to provide over 150 million kilowatt hours of clean electricity annually, meeting the annual electricity needs of approximately 112,000 households, while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 114,700 tons, effectively lowering local electricity costs.
Looking ahead, there is enormous potential for energy cooperation between China and Indonesia. Indonesia has been committed to achieving economic green transformation by promoting energy transition, developing clean and renewable energy. Indonesia has previously pledged to reduce emissions by 31.89% by 2030 or 43.2% with international support, and achieve net zero emissions by 2060. Recently, Hashim Jojo Hadi Kusumo, the special envoy of Indonesian President Prabowo, stated at the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference that Indonesia is committed to accelerating its energy transition, achieving energy self-sufficiency through renewable energy in the future, and promoting national economic growth. He said, 'We have formulated a new strategy for the next five years, aiming to achieve at least 8% green and sustainable economic growth.'. He also stated that in the next 15 years, Indonesia will add 100 gigawatts of power generation capacity, of which 75% will come from renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, and nuclear.
In addition, Indonesia has abundant clean energy potential, including solar energy, geothermal energy, etc., exceeding 3,600 gigawatts, but it has not yet been effectively developed. As of September last year, the solar potential reached 3.2 megawatts, but only 345 megawatts were utilized. Indonesia plans to achieve a clean energy share of 19.49% in its energy structure by 2024 and increase it to 23% by 2025.
