Indonesia calls for solar power project investment

Dawn.com, 2013-11-06

JAKARTA: The government is tendering as many as 80 projects related to the development of solar power plants in an attempt to boost the country’s renewable energy supplies.

The 80 projects will have a combined capacity of up to 140 megawatts (MW), according to Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry director general for renewable energy Rida Mulyana.

The ministry opened the tender starting last Thursday and is expected to announce the winners of the projects by this December.

“The solar plants’ construction will take about six months. Therefore, we will see the plants commence operation in the middle of next year,” Rida said as quoted by Antara news agency.

He added most of the solar power plants would be located in eastern Indonesia, such as in Papua, West Papua, Maluku, Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara. Most of the power plants will have a 1 MW capacity while the biggest project will be located in Jayapura, Papua, with a 6 MW capacity.

According to Rida, at least nine units of power plants would be offered for development in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) with a total capacity of 14 MW. He said seven locations in Papua would host solar power plants with a 14.5 MW capacity, six locations in North Maluku with a combined capacity of 7.5 MW, six developments in Maluku with 9.5 MW and another six projects in North Sulawesi with 13 MW.

There will also be three locations in Aceh hosting 4 MW solar power plants, six units in Riau with an 8.5 MW capacity, seven units in West Kalimantan with a 9.5 MW capacity, five unit plants in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) with 17 MW and four units in East Java with a 4 MW capacity.

The 140 MW projects will need roughly 2.8 trillion rupiah in investment. Earlier this year, the government inaugurated the largest capacity solar power plant in Karangasem, Bali. The plant has a 1 MW capacity and cost 26 billion rupiah in investment.

The government has put aside 400 billion rupiah on the development of solar power plants this year.

According to the announcement on the renewable energy directorate’s website, the tenders of power plant projects have been open for development in Kupang, NTT and in North Lombok, NTB, with 5 MW and 2 MW capacities, respectively.

Despite abundant potential in renewable energy, the country remains heavily dependent on the fossil fuel for its electricity supply.

According to a report in the renewable energy directorate general, the country’s solar power plants’ installed capacity had reached 59 MW as of early November.

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Jero Wacik said the country had a solar energy potential of 50,000 MW. “A number of companies came to us and said they wanted to build plants,” Jero said at an event recently.

Attempting to boost solar power plant development, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry issued last June Ministerial Decree no. 17 2013, which regulates the purchasing of electricity produced by photovoltaic solar power plants by state-owned electricity company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN).

– By arrangement with the ANN/The Jakarta Post –

Government Aims to Build 36 New Solar Power Plants in 2013

Jakarta Globe, SP/Ari Rikin,  April 25, 2013

A solar power plant from Star Energy in Wayang Windu, West Java.
(GA Photo/Defrizal)

               

Related articles

• Dahlan, Jero at Odds Over Mahakam Plans
• Stalled Geothermal Projects in Indonesia to Get New Funding Injection
• Ministry Still in Command of Mining Sector Despite Court Ruling: Govt
• Energy and Mineral Resources Deputy to Head SKMigas
• Government Calls for Change at ExxonMobil

The government is planning to build 36 new solar power plants across Indonesia, especially in isolated and border areas, an official said on Thursday.

Alihudin Sitompul, the director of renewable energy and energy conservation at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, said that the government was targeting to increase the number of solar power plants to 153 this year, up from last year’s 117.

The development of solar power plants face tougher financial, technical and other constraints than other types of power sources, Alihudin said, but that the government was relying on partnerships to help manage the construction.

“So far, our policies regarding the development of solar power plants are already good. However, our partners should be able to decide whether the [solar plant projects] are feasible or not, so that they do not force themselves to do them,” he said.

Speaking on the sidelines of a workshop on renewable energy in Jakarta, Alihudin said that forcing unfeasible projects to realization often results in delays, improper installation, lower quality plants and higher prices.

He said that the central government and its provincial counterparts have earmarked Rp 1 trillion ($103 million) for solar power plant construction this year, an increase from last year’s budget of Rp 700 billion.

LEN, Pertamina to Develop Solar Panel Plant

Jakarta Globe, October 29, 2012

LEN Industri and Pertamina will join forces to build a solar cell production
plant. (AFP Photo)

Related articles

• Pertamina to Build Trash-Fueled Power Plant at Indonesia's Largest Dump
• Pertamina Set To Operate Mahakam Oil And Gas Block
• Pertamina Taking Cautious Steps Toward Takeover of Mahakam Block
• Pertamina Takes $37m Hit From Illegal Tapping of Sumatra Pipeline
• Pertamina, Medco Sign on for More Gas

State-owned companies LEN Industri and Pertamina are collaborating together to build a solar cell production plant in Rancaekek, Bandung, according LEN Insdustri President Abraham Mose.

Abraham, speaking to Antara news agency on Monday, said that the groundbreaking for the plant's construction is expected to take place in December.

"This an asignment project and at the same time an investment, so that we do have a renewable energy inustry in Indonesia," Abraham said. He gave no further details on the plant, but that it could produce solar cells with a total capacity of 60 MWatts.

"This is a venture and an investment. [It will be done] so that we can have a renewable energy industry in Indonesia," Abraham said. He gave no further details about the plant, but mentioned that it could produce solar cells with a capacity of 60 megawatts.

A presidential regulation issued in 2006 states that solar energy should account for between 0.2 and 0.3 precent of national energy usage by 2025, or the equivalent of 1,000 megawatts per hour.

Abraham also noted that LEN was planning on investing in airport navigation equipment.

"We will make a proposal for the airport navigation project since it is in line with LEN's focus. We will do this in the next five years," he said.

Abraham mentioned that on Nov. 28 the company would introduce products made in conjunction with the Research and Technology Ministry.

 LEN Industri's expertise, according to to the company's president, lies in railway signage, marine navigation, renewable energy, military communication equipment and control systems.

Abraham noted that LEN has a strategic corporate division devoted to mapping industrial trends.

"Basically, we are always monitoring development and looking for opportunities for growth," he said.

Borobodur Temple to Get Solar-Powered Lighting

Jakarta Globe, October 15, 2012

Related articles

• US Will Place Tariffs on Chinese Solar Panels
• Threatened Duties Push China Solar Firms Offshore
• PLN to Provide Solar Power to Indonesia's Remote Islands
• Indonesian Military Warn of Threat to Borobudur Temple
• Australia to Fund Local Tourism Industry Training at Borobudur

Greenpeace has started installing a solar-powered lighting system that will illuminate the ancient temple of Borobodur on the outskirts of Yogyakarta.

The lighting system is scheduled to start working on Oct. 28, the group said in a press release on Sunday.

The organization said that the project was part of a nationwide campaign, called the “Climate Rescue Station,” to promote awareness about renewable energy to people in Indonesia.

The project also aims to urge the government to implement a massive uptake of renewable energy sources and to decrease dependence on dirty fossil fuels like coal.

“Greenpeace intends to light up Borobodur to enlighten Indonesians about our vision of a clean and safer energy future. We want to remind Indonesians, particularly the government, that we can work together for a better future with renewable energy,” said Arif Fiyanto, climate and energy campaigner for Greenpeace Southeast Asia.

He said the government must make the switch to renewable energy to protect communities from the health and environmental hazards of coal pollution.

“We are calling on all Indonesians to be part of the solution and join the movement for renewable energy by visiting the Climate Rescue Station at Borobodur, or by signing up at our website,” Arif added.

Borobudur, the world’s biggest Buddhist monument, was built in the ninth century and has been Indonesia’s leading tourist attraction.

“Today, it is a symbol for enlightenment not only for Indonesians but for people around the world,” the group said. “Greenpeace is providing solar-powered lighting around the temple complex to show that renewable energy is not only possible but a viable alternative to meet Indonesia’s energy needs.”

Marsis Sutopo, head of Borobudur Heritage Conservation, voiced his appreciation to Greenpeace’s initiative.

“Our hope is that people grow increasingly aware that solar power is needed as an energy source, thus reducing our dependence on energy from fossil fuels,” he said.

Many experts have agreed that Indonesia’s position on the equator allows it to use the sun’s abundant supply of heat as an energy source throughout the year. But it’s something the country has not taken advantage of.

According to Greenpeace, the country’s abundant geothermal potential accounts for roughly 40 percent of the world’s total resource.

Latest government data shows that renewable energy contributes to less than 5 percent to the country’s power-generating capacity, according to the group.

Greenpeace said it is calling on the government of Indonesia to fast-track the development of renewable energy in the country by setting ambitious and binding targets for renewable energy, guaranteeing priority access to the grid for renewable power generators, providing defined and stable returns for renewable energy investors, and phasing out all subsidies for fossil fuels.

The group would also like fossil fuel companies to shoulder the social and environmental burden caused by their facilities.

“Renewable energy is a key building block for a fair and equitable green economy,” Arif said. “We call on Indonesians to sign up and join our renewable-energy campaign and be part of the movement that will steer our country to a better future.”

PLN to Provide Solar Power to Indonesia's Remote Islands

Jakarta Globe, October 01, 2012

Related articles

• Momentum Grows for South Papua’s Breakaway Push
• PLN Agrees on FSRU Gas Price
• Lack of Tanker Trucks Leaves NTB Residents With Severe Water Shortage
• Citing Demand, PLN to Freeze New Coal Contracts Until 2014
• Britain Promises to Protect Yudhoyono From 'Citizen's Arrest'

State utility company Perusahaan Listrik Negara is close to completing the construction of 100 solar power plants on dozens of small and remote islands.

Vickner Sinaga, PLN operational director for eastern Indonesia, said the construction of the solar power plants, which will have a total capacity of 18,150 kilowatt peak (kWp), has been progressing smoothly. Kilowatt peak is a measure of power in solar energy devices.

The undertaking aims to provide electricity to remote populations.

“The progress [has gone] smoothly, and by the end of this year around 80 solar plants [will] have been constructed. The rest are expected [to be completed] next year,” Vickner said.

The project costs around Rp 600 billion ($63 million). According to PLN data, the solar plants currently being built are located in West Papua, North Maluku, East Nusa Tenggara, South and Southeast Sulawesi and South Kalimantan.

The government a few years ago instructed PLN to supply an additional 55,500 megawatts nationwide by 2019 and increase the electrification rate — the proportion of the population with access to the power grid — to 90 percent by 2020, from around 71 percent currently.

The first phase of the program has moved more slowly than planned, with the government admitting poor choices for contractors had delayed progress.

The government has initiated projects to add another 30,000 MW of power to the national grid by 2014 through a fast-track program using coal, geothermal and hydroelectric resources. The preferred source differs by region, Vickner said.

For remote islands, solar power plants are more economical, partly because consumption in such areas is low, he added.

“In Java, it is better to use diesel power plants when there is a lack of power. Solar power plants with 100 kWp would only last for five hours in Java,” Vickner said.

Investor Daily

Local, Chinese Firms Propose Solar Plant Costing $200m

Jakarta Globe, July 19, 2012

Related articles

• Singapore Dishes Out $11m in Grants for Solar Cell Research
• Eyes Turn Skyward as Venus Travels Across the Sun
• China Cries Foul After US Sets Tariffs on Solar Imports
• India Flips the Switch on Asia's Largest Solar Power Field
• Strongest Solar Storm Since 2005 Hitting Earth

Chinese state company Shanghai Aerospace Automobile Electromechanical and a local solar panel firm, Basel Investindo, have announced plans to build a 200 megawatt solar power plant, with a total investment of $200 million.

The president director of Basel Investindo, Edwin Henawan Soekowati, said Indonesia should be one of the countries with the most potential to utilize solar power, thanks to its tropical climate.

He said Indonesia should be serious in developing renewable energy such as solar power as its oil reserves dwindle.

“Indonesia is now a net importer of oil. Looking forward, fossil fuel is getting more expensive. Now the government is chasing coal, but that will also run out one day. That’s why solar panel technology must be developed,” Edwin said.

He said Basel and SAAE had signed a memorandum of understanding with the directorate general for renewable energy at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry. The signing was done at a renewable energy exhibition in Jakarta.

“The Chinese state company has expertise in making solar panels ... this kind of technology suits the need of Indonesia’s rural areas, which have not yet been touched by electricity,” he said.

The $600 million plant will be built in Indonesia’s eastern region.

Edwin admitted that the cost of building a solar-powered plant was more expensive than a coal-fired power plant. He said it would cost $3 million per megawatt of electricity capacity generated from solar panels, while using coal only costs $1.5 million per megawatt.

However, he argued that solar panels were cheaper to maintain.

Apart from Basel, Sharp, Samsung and Infinity are also developing solar panel technology in Indonesia.

Investor Daily

Three state firms to invest $30 mln in solar cells

Antara News, Fri, April 20 2012

Related News

• PLN`s investments down 5.6 pct in 2012
• Govt bows to demands for delayed power tariff hike
• Govt to build solar cell company in West Java
• Another PLN tower in Aceh cut by unknown people
• PLN to cut oil consumption by 30 pct in 2012

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Three state firms will cooperate in producing solar cells at a total cost of US$30 million, an official said.

"In the first phase, the solar cells which will be produced in the first semester of 2012 may have a capacity of 30 megawatts," the deputy for infrastructures and logistics to the state enterprises minister, Sumaryanto Widayatin, said here Thursday.

The three state firms are electricity company PT PLN, construction company PT Wijaya Karya Tbk, and highway operator PT Jasa Marga Tbk.

Sumaryanto said the cooperation is part of synergy to deal with rising demand for electrical power.

"In the first phase, Jasa Marga will serve as off taker (direct user) of the solar cell production," he said.

In addition, the solar cells will also help PLN meet electrical power needs in remote areas, outlying islands and hinterlands, he said.

The study on the development of solar cells has reached the final stage, he said adding the three state firms will soon set up a kind of subsidiary to carry out the project.

He said Indonesia has large potentials to develop solar cells.

"We have quartz sand deposits of up to 75 billion tons as raw material to make solar cell crystal or silicon," he said. 

Editor: B Kunto Wibisono

Related Articles:

PLN operates biggest solar power plant in Morotai

India Flips the Switch on Asia's Largest Solar Power Field

PLN operates biggest solar power plant in Morotai

Antara News, Sun, April 15 2012

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - State electricity company PT PLN is operating the biggest solar power plant (PLTS) with a capacity of 600 kW in the outermost island of Morotai in North Maluku.

The company`s director for Indonesian eastern region operations, Vickner Sinaga, said in a press statement received here on Sunday the operation of the PLTS would reduce oil consumption by an average of 800 liters daily or save about Rp2.5 billion a year.

"The PLTS began operating yesterday or Saturday," he said.

He said PLN would continue improving its service across Indonesia by prioritizing the use of alternative energy sources especially for the Indonesian eastern regions.

He said the operation of the PLTS will also help support the implementation of the Sail Morotai 2012 which is to be held from May to June.

Recently PT PLN operated a 350kW solar power plant at the peak period in the Sebatik island in East Kalimantan bordering Malaysia and another 100kW on Miangas island in North Sulawesi close to the Philippines.

The operation of the PLTS is part of the company's plan to distribute electricity to 100 outermost islands using 100 percent solar power with the target of achieving it by October 28, 2012.

PLN also expects 1,000 islands across Indonesia will have used solar energy as the source of their power plants by 2014 at the latest.

Editor: Ade Marboen

Related Article:

Indonesia provides geothermal opportunity

Indonesia to soon develop renewable energy

Antara News, Fri, April 6 2012 

 "Indonesia has oil reserves of about 4 billion barrels, and it is estimated this will run out within the next 11 years. Therefore, we need to develop renewable energy as soon as possible."

Kardaya Warnika.
(FOTO ANTARA)

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia will soon develop renewable energy to replace the country`s diminishing oil reserves, according to Deputy Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, Kardaya Warnika.

"Indonesia has oil reserves of about 4 billion barrels, and it is estimated this will run out within the next 11 years. Therefore, we need to develop renewable energy as soon as possible," Kardaya recently said on the sidelines of a seminar entitled `The Development of New Renewable Energy to Save Fossil Fuel for the Sake of National Resilience`.

Officials note that renewable energy could become a solution for dealing with the energy crisis and maintaining energy resilience.

Currently, the nation receives up to 95 percent of its energy supply from fossil energy, such as oil, natural gas and coal.

The attraction of renewable energy includes its being environmentally friendly, endless and available domestically.

"Investment in oil and gas would require billions of US dollars, while renewable energy needs only billions of rupiahs," he noted.

The government hopes that the development of renewable energy will reach 25 percent of the nation`s needs by 2025. However, subsidies are a factor hampering the development of renewable energy, he added.

The ministry is currently developing 100 megawatts of solar power energy (PLTS) and 50 megawatts of windmill power energy.

A location for the development of PLTS is being looked for, while a windmill power energy plant will be built in Yogyakarta.

Editor: Ella Syafputri

Related Article:

UN, Brazil sign agreement on hosting Conference on Sustainable Development

Govt to build solar cell company in West Java

Antara News, Mon, March 19 2012 

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Ministry of State Owned Enterprises plans to build a solar cell company in Karawang, West Java, in response to the growing suggestions that Indonesia should use more renewable energy and reduce its dependency on fossil fuel, a minister said.

Dahlan Iskan. (ANTARA
/Rosa Panggabean) 

"The company will produce a capacity of 60 megawatts per year, and the government has planned to invest Rp500 billion. The company is expected to start operations by November 2013," Minister of State Owned Enterprises Dahlan Iskan said here on Monday.

Earlier, Minister of Research and Technology Gusti Muhammad Hatta had said his ministry was continuously studying the pattern of geothermal energy utilization in Indonesia as part of the efforts to ready existing renewable energy sources for tapping by 2025.

"My ministry is continuously studying the utilization patterns since it has been planned that in 2025 new renewable energy should be ready in large amounts," he said.

Gusti added that the National Energy Board (DEN) had predicted that the availability of petroleum would deplete by 2020 so the preparation of renewable energy on a large scale should be started early.

Oil may still be available off the coast but it is deep inside the ocean and will require the use of advance technology and high costs to obtain.

Therefore, the renewable energy derived from various sources such as ocean currents, wind and plants (bio-ethanol) must be reviewed for use, the minister explained.

"In fact, in the near future we will be working on geothermal energy because we (Indonesia, Red) has 44 percent of the world`s geothermal potential," he noted.

The DEN version guided by the blue print of National Energy Management 2004 mentions that Indonesia`s energy source of fossil fuel, which is oil, will be exhausted within 18 years, gas in 61 years, and coal in 147 years.

Currently Indonesia needs as much as 1.5 percent of the world`s oil to reach 10.5 billion tons.

Meanwhile, Indonesia exports as much as 1.5 percent, which means that Indonesia`s ability to produce oil takes care of 3 percent of the total oil consumption in the world.

Earlier, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Jero Wacik said that renewable energy in Indonesia has not been fully utilized, especially the abundant solar energy.

"Solar energy is currently used only for drying coffee and during the tourist season, even though it can be utilized optimally," he said.

Jero noted that energy sources of oil will be exhausted but according to the data from the National Energy Board, renewable energy is currently only 5 percent of the total energy used.

So the government is working towards making sure that renewable energy reaches a minimum of 25 percent of the total energy used in 2025.

According to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, there are currently around 28 sources of geothermal energy with a potential of about 7,000 megawatts that have been licensed for exploration by the Forestry Ministry.

Editor: Priyambodo RH

Related Article:

Sharp ready to start $300m solar power project in Bali

Govt Pairs With F Cubed for Safe Drinking Water Project

Jakarta Globe, March 17, 2012

Related articles

• State Firms To Unite for Jakarta Water Project
• New Water Towers a Boon For Six Schools on Lombok
• India Pushes Campaign for Public Hygiene, Indonesia Yet to Act
• Water Shortages Threaten Villagers in Bogor and Lombok
• Water Restored by Sunday: Official

The Indonesian government has announced it will partner with sustainable water technology firm F Cubed to set up solar-powered desalination kits across the country.

Indroyono Soesilo, secretary at the office of the coordinating minister for people’s welfare, said on Thursday that there was an urgent need to provide a sustainable and reliable source of clean water in villages and isolated communities nationwide.

The decision to partner with F Cubed, he said, was crucial in this respect. “We need to immediately find a solution to providing clean water in areas that experience chronic water shortages,” he said.

He said the Australian company would work with the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) and the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) to set up its Carocell solar-powered desalination kits throughout the country.

Peter Johnstone, the F Cubed founder and chief executive, said the desalination technology that his company had pioneered was proven to produce high-quality drinking water.

“Our technology can turn water from any source, be it seawater, groundwater, polluted or even contaminated water, into clean, potable water,” he said. “And because it runs on solar power, the water can be produced at a very low cost.”

Among the other benefits of the Carocell system that the company touts are that it “emits no greenhouse gas emissions, uses no chemicals, no costly membranes, no filters, no electronics and no ongoing power source is required other than solar radiation.”

The system is based on a single or a series of low-cost solar panels that can be mounted on the roof of a building or on the ground. The water goes into a feeder pipe running along the top of the panel, then is allowed to run down in evenly dispersed streams to the bottom of the panel.

As it flows down, it gets heated by the solar panel and vaporizes, condensing on the inside of the panel enclosure and eventually dripping out through a clean water outlet pipe.

F Cubed claims the distillation process, high temperatures and exposure to ultraviolet light kill any bacteria and germs in the water. The company also says its panels have double the solar efficiency of similar water purification systems.

The smaller of its two types of solar panels, with a surface area of three square meters, can produce up to 20 liters of clean water a day, while the larger panel, at six square meters, can produce double that amount.

Each panel converts 30 to 40 percent of the feed water into clean water.

The whole cycle can be carried out six times, after which the remaining fluid, with a high salt concentration, is crystallized to produce salt, as part of the F Cubed’s “zero liquid discharge” technology.

Johnstone said the Carocell panels were already in use in 26 countries, including Malaysia, India and Bangladesh.

“We are currently assessing building a factory in Indonesia with investment of around $10 million,” he said. “We want to participate in efforts to improve people’s welfare by providing clean water and creating jobs.”

F Cubed says that because the system runs entirely on solar power, there are no mechanical parts and no electronics, making it ideal for installation in remote, rural areas, as well as for use in disaster relief situations.

Antara 

Sharp ready to start $300m solar power project in Bali

The Jakarta Post, Sat, 03/10/2012

Japanese multinational electronics giant Sharp Corporation will soon conduct a feasibility study on a US$300 million solar energy power plant in Bali with 100 megawatt (MW) capacity, an Indonesian government official says.

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Jero Wacik previously said the new plant will generate cheaper electricity for the people because the price could almost half the current price using fuel energy, or at about 23 US cents per kilowatt hour (kWh). Following a depreciation period, the price could further dip to 3 to 5 cents per kWh.

Kardaya Warnika, the ministry’s director general of renewable energy and energy conservation, said Friday the memorandum of understanding (MoU) had been signed with Sharp on March 2 and the feasibility study had begin the following day in Bali.

“Bali was chosen because the project targets tourism areas so that they could be supplied by electricity and renewable energy,” Kardaya said as quoted from his office’s website, adding that the feasibility study aims at finding out the intensity of heat, duration of sunlight, and market potential in the “Island of Gods”.

While the study is ongoing, Sharp will develop a smaller capacity solar power plant with capacity of 1 to 2 MW, according to him. If successful, Kardaya added, the project could be expanded to other areas including Jakarta.

Indonesia currently relies on oil, gas and coal as sources for energy, while the use of renewable energy is low. Neighboring countries have diversified to biomass geothermal and extensive use of hydro-electric technology.

The government has pushed efforts to find new and renewable energy sources as prices of oil and coal are on the rise, to provide electricity for the country where infrastructure bottlenecks remain a major issue.

State electric utility PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), which acts as the offtaker of Sharp’s project, has embarked on a program to develop solar power plants in 100 islands to provide access to electricity in remote areas. Tropical Indonesia has more than 17,000 islands, many of which have tenuous electricity supply, especially in remote areas.

“But [Sharp’s] project is different with that of PLN. PLN aims at reaching out regions that have not had access to electricity, but Sharp’s project does not target remote areas,” Kardaya said.

The selling price to PLN has not yet been set, and the government is yet to decide on the pricing mechanism—flat rate or gradually decreasing prices, he added.

Every 1 MW solar power plant capacity requires investment of between $2.5 and $3 million and land bank of two hectares, according to Kardaya, meaning that Sharp’s 100 MW project in Bali will need up to $300 million investment and 200 hectares land.

“If they [investors/Sharp] have built [a plant] in Indonesia, the components must come from their Indonesia-based factory,” he added.

— JP/Esther Samboh

East Java asked to increase renewable energy projects

Antara News, Tue, January 17 2012

Related News

• US strengthens commitment to renewable energy partnership with RI

Surabaya, East Java (ANTARA News) - Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) of East Java province has asked to local government to increase the number of renewable energy projects.

"East Java is reach in renewable energy resources among others bio-gas, geothermal, wind energy, water and solar energy," local Kadin deputy chairman for energy and mineral resources Nelson Sembiring said at Energy Efficiency Week for the Area of Surabaya on Tuesday.

According to Sembiring, East Java has wider opportunity to optimize renewable energy potential because the province has abundant sources of energy such as geothermal in Ijen and Ngebel, bio-gas in Gresik, Pacitan, and South Malang, and hydro energy that has been used for 10 years in Seloliman.

"From the quantity of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency can reach 7.8 percent or almost close to East Java energy saving target of 12 to 15 percent in 2025," Sembiring said.

He also expressed optimism that the province could reach the energy saving target if it developed as many as five units of micro-hydro project per year with the investment value of Rp30 million per unit.

Editor: Priyambodo RH

RI, China exploring cooperation on renewable energy

Antara News, Mon, December 12 2011

 Indonesia and China which had a big population were seeking to cooperate on renewable energy to anticipate the depletion of fossil energy resources.

Related News

• RI should change energy management paradigm: deputy house speaker
• Police may deport 34 Chinese nationals
• China hoping military cooperation with RI to increase in future
• China discusses South China Sea issue with Indonesia, Philippines during defenceminister
• China hopes defense cooperation with RI to expand, be pragmatic

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia and China are exploring cooperation on the development of renewable energy, a cabinet minister said.

Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan said here on Monday that Indonesia and China which had a big population were seeking to cooperate on renewable energy to anticipate the depletion of fossil energy resources.

"It is important for the two countries to develop renewable energy in the face of declining fossil energy resources. After all, China has relatively advanced technology on renewable energy, such as technology on the utilization of solar and hydro energy," the minister said.

The minister expressed his hope that the two countries would respectively set up a team to follow up on the results of a meeting between him and a Chinese delegation which was led by Cao Jialin, deputy technology minister at the Chinese Science and Technology Ministry.

Earlier, the forestry minister said that timber estate management and wood pellet product were two business sectors that were prospective for investors.

"Wood pellet as fuel is a renewable energy and environment friendly. This is because it involves a process of planting first and then utilizing it," the minister said.

At present, South Korea is encouraging the utilization of bio mass energy in the form of wood pellets in line with the shrinking of fossil fuel resources.

The problem is that the expansion of timber estate in South Korea faced land limitation problem.

The minister said that Indonesia needed to develop its bio mass energy because besides optimizing raw materials from timber estate the business also could absorb many workers.

Forestry Ministry Secretary General Hadi Daryanto said that there were three Korean investors who had been given permits by the ministry to develop timber estates and wood pellet factory with a production capacity of about 40,000 tons.

"The Korean investors needed large lands for their investment. The proposals that have been tabled cover 200,000 hectares and the ministry has approved 140,000 hectares with an investment of Rp6 trillion," he said.

Editor: Heru

Sharp to invest $1 billion in solar tech in Indonesia

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sun, 11/20/2011

Japanese electronics giant Sharp has sealed a deal at the ASEAN Summit in Bali to invest US$ 1 billion in solar cell technology in Indonesia, according to a top government official.

“Sharp has assessed that our country has been blessed with sunlight throughout the years. This has a great potential that is waiting to be explored,” Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Jero Wacik said on Saturday as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

Sharp currently has a pilot project in Thailand with 160 hectares of solar cell panels that generate up to 73 megawatts for 23 US cents per kilowatt-hour.

“We’ll discuss the details in upcoming meetings,” he said.

W. Sumatra to build 5 geothermal power plants

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta,  Fri, 08/26/2011

West Sumatra administration has announced plans to construct five geothermal power plants in its 2011-2015 development plan.

The construction projects would be fully financed by the central government, West Sumatra Governor Irwan Prayitno said Friday in Padang.

Irwan added that his administration planned to build one power plant every year so that the five plants would be ready by 2015.

The administration also plans to build another 25 biomass power plants that will utilize urban and rural waste for energy production.

Irwan said his administration planned to build the five biomass power plants gradually. The construction of these plants would also rely on funding from the central government, he said.

Meanwhile, the administration also plans to develop 3,000 small-sized solar plants and 10 micro-hydro power plants using funding from the state budget, over the same development period.

Govt highlights renewable energy master plan

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 07/13/2011

According to Indonesia’s economic acceleration and expansion master plan for 2011-2015, the country needs Rp 134.6 trillion (US$ 15.7 billion) in investment to develop renewable energy resources for the next 15 years, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry says.

The funds will be allocated to five regions; Sumatra (Rp 25.06 trillion), Java (Rp 86.3 trillion), Sulawesi (Rp 15.77 trillion), Bali-Nusa Tenggara (Rp 2.64 trillion) and Papua-Maluku (Rp 4.83 trillion).

Supplying the public with renewable energy is a government priority, Renewable Energy and Conservation Director-General Kardaya Warnika said Wednesday.

"The funds will be used to build both infrastructure and generators,” he said as quoted by tribunnews.com.

Kardaya added that the government was seeking to increase renewable energy utilization by the public, by endorsing innovations such as solar powered street lights.

The ministry also encourages shopping centers and city malls to produce their own electricity by installing solar panels on their roof tops.

“We are blessed with sunshine throughout the year, so we should use it.

"Even a subtropical country like China is doing so,” Kardaya said.

He also added that the government was promoting biofuel development using coconut husks and jatropha.

Govt Announces 17 Infrastructure Projects Worth Rp190 Trillion

Antara News, Fri, May 27 2011

Related News

• Chinese investors interested in infrastructure projects
• South Korea eyeing RI infrastructure projects
• Bakrie group eying two infrastructure projects in East Java
• JP Morgan intends to fund Indonesia infrastructure projects
• Jakarta gears up for realization of infrastructure projects

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government announced 17 new infrastructure projects worth Rp190 trillion as part of its 2011-2025 Indonesia Economic Development Expansion and Acceleration Master Plan.

"The number of projects officially started is 17 and they are part of all infrastructure projects to be carried out until 2014 worth Rp400 trillion," coordinating minister for economic affairs Hatta Rajasa said in his speech at the launching of MP3EI here on Friday.

Hatta said the projects were launched in four locations namely Sei Mangke in the province of North Sumatra, Cilegon in Banten, Lombok Timur, East Nusa Tenggara and Timika, Papua, with funds coming from state-owned companies, national private companies, foreign direct investment and national budget.

"The groundbreaking is a start for MP3EI other projects. In the months and years to come it will continue to be done and therefore a solid team is needed to conduct monitoring so that no obstacles are to be found by prioritizing transparency and accountability.," he said.

Hatta said the launching of MP3EI would be the start of "business not as usual" to accelerate economic development across the country sustainably and equally through synergy building involving all components in the central and regional governments.

"The master plan is expected to be able to eradicate various obstacles of development such as `bottleneck` that disrupt business climate and certainty," he said.

In Sei Mangke there will be three projects which are to be developed namely an oil palm area development project by PT Perkebunan Negara III with an estimated investment of Rp2.5 trillion.

The other ones are the Peusangan 1 and 2 (2x44MW) hydro-powered plants (PLTA) in the Aceh province worth Rp1.53 trillion and the Broadband Access and Through Broadband Access Plan by PT Telkom.

Five main projects in Cilegon in the West Java province of Banten meanwhile are the modern steel plant development project by PT Krakatau Steel and POSCO of South Korea worth Rp60 trillion and energy gasification project worth Rp59 trillion.

The third project is the extension of Samping, engine, casting and assembling plant for motor vehicles by PT Astra Daihatsu worth Rp2.4 trillion.

The fourth project meanwhile is the Tanjung Priok toll road worth Rp1.6 trillion by JBIC, the central government, the Jakarta administration, PT Angkasa Pura and PT Jasa Marga and the fifth is the aluminium grad chemical plant worth an investment of Rp4.3 trillion in Sanggau, West Kalimantan.

Four projects meanwhile will be carried out in East Lombok namely the Pandan Duri dam with an estimated investment of Rp728 billion, the Titab dike worth Rp481 billion, the Ngurah Rai airport expansion worth Rp1.94 trillion and the development of new Garuda Airlines routes o 13 cities in the Indonesian eastern regions.

Four projects to be carried out in Timika, Papua, meanwhile include the 135-kilometer long Timika-Enarotali highway with an investment of Rp600 billion and the 600-kilometer long Merauke-Waropko worth Rp1.2 trillion.

The others include a mining project and a cobalt and nickel processing plant worth Rp50 trillion and 150 KWp and 200 KWp solar power projects (PLTS).

Editor: Ella Syafputri