Jakarta—The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) said it has provided support in the form of a USD 715,000 grant through PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (SMI) for the initial development costs of the Tembesi floating solar power plant project in Batam city, Riau Islands province.
GEAPP said in its official LinkedIn account on Saturday, 19 April, that around USD 600,000 of the grant will finance the development of the initial phase, including feasibility studies, engineering design, and environmental assessments, and the remaining USD 115,000 will be used for social and environmental initiatives.
The project is being developed by PT NusantaraTembesi Baru Energi (NTBE), a joint venture of PT PLN Renewable Energy (PLN RN) and PT Batam Tirta Surya, a subsidiary of PT TBS Energi Utama Tbk.
PLN RN holds 51% of the venture company’s shares, and Batam Tirta Surya owns the remaining 49%.
SMI said in December last year that it is committed to providing USD 23 million to finance the floating solar power plant project. NTBE will add USD 5.8 million as its equity to finance the project’s development, which has a total project value of USD 29.1 million.
In the first phase, the Tembesi floating solar power plant will produce 46 MWp or 56.5 GWh of clean electricity annually and has the potential to expand to 333 MW.
GEAPP said the solar power project can avert 42,422 and 43,807 tonnes of CO2e emissions in the initial phase.
“These initiatives ensure the project delivers benefits beyond power generation by addressing community needs through the creation of new job opportunities in the renewable energy sector, technical training for local workers, and support for small businesses in the clean energy supply chain,” it said on its official website.
Kitty Bu, GEAPP’s Deputy President for Southeast Asia, was quoted by kontan.co.id as saying in a statement on Tuesday (22/04) that the grant to the Tembesi floating solar power plant shows “the agency’s commitment to support sustainable development.”
The Tembesi floating solar power plant project will be the second large floating solar power plant to be developed in the country, following the Cirata floating solar power plant project, in West Java, which is already in operation.
As Indonesia accelerates its renewable energy development, this project demonstrates how strategic partnerships can turn ambitious goals into reality. The timing is crucial–Batam-Bintan’s impressive 6.6% growth over the past decade demands sustainable energy solutions that power businesses, create jobs, and improve lives across the region.
GEAPP noted that the current power supply, reaching 597.32 MW and operating near peak capacity, clearly requires additional clean energy infrastructure (Roffie Kurniawan).
Banner photo: Image generated by OpenAI’s DALL·E via ChatGPT (2023)
