REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANTUL -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo inaugurated the 35,000-megawatt electrical power development program at Goa Cemara Beach, Gadingsari village of Bantul, Yogyakarta province.
"We plan to develop renewable and new sources of energy such as wind, geothermal, hydro, as well as plantation energy, which is sourced from vegetable oil and biomass. This is being done to ensure that we do not have to depend on fossil fuel," he said here on Monday (4/5).
Jokowi added that for almost 70 years, Indonesia could only provide 50,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity supply.
The president believes that this energy deficiency poses a problem for people in rural areas.
Furthermore, Jokowi affirmed that the development of 35,000MW of electrical power can raise the economic condition of Indonesia.
During his visit to Bantul, the head of state observed the mock-up of the power plants that will supply 35,000MW of electricity to Indonesia.
To realize these power sources that will have a capacity of 35,000MW, the government has signed agreements on several projects with state enterprises and foreign private companies.
Moreover, Indonesian power company PLN signed a few agreements with partners to achieve the plan.
PLN signed a power purchase agreement with PT Yogyakarta Bayu Energy to develop wind turbines that can generate 50MW of electricity.
In addition, other companies that signed agreements on power development projects with PLN were from the consortium of renewable energy developers. It signed an agreement with Binatek Energi Terbarukan for a 70-MW wind turbine Sidrap, with PT DSSP Power Kendari for Kendari-3, a 2x50MW steam-powered generator project, and with PT Bosowa Energi for Jeneponto Expansion, a 2x125MW steam-powered generator.
PLN also signed several agreements with foreign companies, including with the consortium of Samsung C&T and Lotte E&C, HK, for a 450-MW gas-powered generator Grati Peaker, and on gas trading with Conoco Philips.
Jokowi also held a video conference with the management of three power plants---the one in Jatigede, Sumedang, West Java province, the plant in Takalar in Jeneponto, South Sulawesi province, and the one in Pangkalan Susu, North Sumatra province.