The United Arab Emirates (UAE) views the successful collaboration in the energy sector with Indonesia, exemplified by the development of the Cirata Floating Solar Power Plant (PLTS), as a sign to expand bilateral energy cooperation. In an exclusive interview with ANTARA in Nusa Dua, Bali, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Al-Mazroui expressed interest in continuing the development of the Cirata PLTS. Given that current Indonesian regulations allow for the floating solar power plant to expand up to 20% of the lake's surface area, Al-Mazroui stated, "We have informed the Indonesian government that we can increase the capacity of the PLTS by 500 megawatts from its current capacity. When we successfully add 500 megawatts, Indonesia will have the largest floating solar power plant in the world," said Al-Mazroui on Monday evening, 20 May. Al-Mazroui emphasized that the Indonesian government has recognized the collaboration with the UAE as highly beneficial, with the floating solar power plant completed on time and within budget. "Today, Indonesia is showcasing this PLTS to international guests as a significant achievement," he noted. Besides solar energy, Al-Mazroui identified geothermal energy as another sector with potential for development in Indonesia, highlighting its reliability as a power source.
Indonesia and the UAE have maintained strong relations since 1976, with the UAE being a key trade and investment partner for Indonesia in the Middle East. The Indonesia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (I-UAE CEPA), which came into effect on 1 September 2023, further solidifies this partnership. Alongside trade cooperation, the UAE has shown interest in investing in various sectors proposed by the Indonesian government, such as green energy development. On 9 November 2023, the Cirata Floating Solar Power Plant, with a capacity of 192 MWp, officially began operations in Purwakarta, West Java. This project was realized through the collaboration of Indonesia's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), PLN, and Masdar, a renewable energy company from the UAE.
