The government is preparing a plan to export electrical energy of up to 300 megawatts (MW) through a 400 kilo volt (kV) underwater transmission to the Southeast Asian region. The electricity to be exported will be produced from new and renewable energy (EBT). The plan was targeted after the government discussed the development of a floating solar power plant (PLTS) of 2.2 gigawatt peak (GWp) in Duriangkang Reservoir, Batam, Riau Islands. Deputy for the Coordination of Maritime Sovereignty and Energy at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment Basilio Dias Araujo said that the target for achieving the energy mix still faces many challenges in its implementation. "The dominant use of fossil energy and regulations that are not yet conducive make us still need extra efforts to achieve the 2025 target," he said in an official statement, Tuesday (28/9/2021).
In the process, the government through BP Batam has signed an MoU with Sunseap Group for the construction of PLTS and the export of electricity. This effort is said to be part of the Indonesian government's strategic steps to maximize the use of renewable energy. It is not stated which country will be the destination for the export of electricity from the EBT source. Possibly one of the importers is Singapore. This can be seen from the origin of the Sunseap Group as a clean energy provider company in Singapore. Exports that reach 300 MW through 400kV underwater transmission are considered to require synergy, as well as support, both regulations and strengthening cooperation in regional asset management.
"Sunseap as a joint venture must be able to fulfill its responsibilities, ranging from various requirements as an importer/exporter of electricity, licenses/permits, participation in the international electricity wholesale market, to formulating a commercial mechanism that benefits both parties," he said. In addition, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Ministry of PUPR, PLN, and local governments are expected to have a capable business system. The goal is to accelerate the construction of NRE-based power plants. Then, Issues such as land clearance and reservoir surface area should be applied based on current legislation. The problem must be solved to become the project location. Director of Various New Energy and Renewable Energy of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Chrisnawan Anditya said that the huge potential of Indonesia's solar power can be utilized for energy sovereignty. "As part of the ESDM National Strategic Program, we are looking at the regulations of the two countries regarding the fulfillment of domestic electricity before it is exported," he said.
For the same amount of money, Director of Mega Projects at PT PLN (Persero) Wiluyo Kusdwiharto assesses that Indonesia needs to maximize electricity demand. Moreover, the export market is a promising business. “The export [electricity] market is so big that we have to get involved in it. We need to prepare technical aspects and business mechanisms," he explained. On the other hand, Deputy Basilio explained that Indonesia's readiness to compete in the largest electricity export market in Southeast Asia. He hopes that other electricity supplies can be built in all regions in Indonesia, such as in Sumatra and Nusa Tenggara. To support the plan, he feels it is important that all ministries and institutions are aligned with the pure investment process that does not use the state budget. Basilio also emphasized the importance of communication and synergy between related ministries and institutions to make Indonesia a lead-by example for the maximum utilization of renewable energy and the realization of energy sovereignty.
