The initial 145MW phase of the floating PV project, located in the Cirata reservoir in West Java, Indonesia, is expected to come online later this year. A recent regulatory development from the Ministry of Public Works and Housing in Indonesia now allows up to 20% of water coverage for renewable energy uses which will open up the Cirata expansion to a further 500MW, in addition to the 145MW expected to be operational this year.
Suhail Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said, "The UAE and Indonesia share a common vision of achieving sustainable development and realize that renewables are at the heart of this vision. I am pleased to see that this partnership has been taken to the next level."
Indonesia is a key strategic market in Southeast Asia for Masdar with an expanding portfolio of interests. Masdar developed the region's largest floating solar facility, the 145 MW Cirata floating solar PV plant (Cirata Phase I) in a joint venture with PT PJB, now PLN NP. In February 2023, Masdar entered the geothermal energy sector through a strategic investment in Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE). Masdar also opened an office in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2021 to further strengthen links with key players within the region.
Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Masdar's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Masdar, the UAE and Indonesia are pushing the boundaries of innovation with the Cirata floating solar photovoltaic project, already the largest in the region at 145MW – and set to grow by an impressive additional 500MW as part of Phase II. Within the key strategic markets of Southeast Asia and Indonesia, Masdar is building on our productive partnership with PLN group to grow renewable energy capacity and support Indonesia's ambitious net-zero objectives ahead of COP28 and beyond."
Indonesia has plans to increase its renewable energy mix and has pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2060 or sooner. The Southeast Asian nation has committed to a 29% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, or a 41% reduction with international support. Ahead of COP28 to be hosted in the UAE later this year, the Memorandum of Understanding expansion agreement demonstrates the UAE's commitment to supporting countries around the world with their decarbonization plans for a cleaner, greener future.
Scaling up renewables could save Indonesia, the largest energy user in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, as much as $ 51.7 billion per year when the impacts on air pollution and climate change are included, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
