PLN And ABB Sign MoU For Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Development

PLN and ABB signed a MoU cooperation in developing electric vehicle infrastructure (Photo: Maria Trisnawati/VOI)

PT PLN (Persero) through its subsidiary PLN Icon Plus signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ABB E-Mobility to develop electric vehicle infrastructure in Indonesia.

The signing of the MoU was carried out by the President Director of PT ABB Sakti Industri (ABB Indonesia) Gerard Chan, Region Leader for Asia Pacific of ABB E-mobility Pte. Ltd. WeeJin Lee and Vice President Electric Vehicle Services PLN Icon Plus Anne Aprina in Jakarta, Thursday, April 13.

President Director of PT ABB Sakti Industri Gerard Chan said, through this collaboration ABB and PLN Icon Plus will conduct various technology studies, studies and discussions related to the development of electric vehicle charging services. The two companies will also synergize in providing electric vehicle charging services that include but are not limited to technology assessments, market studies, development of the CSMS platform (Charting Station Management System), marketing activities and the provision of electric vehicle charging devices (chargers).

"This is also a form of support for the government in accelerating the implementation of e-mobility in Indonesia," Chan said in his presentation, Thursday, April 13.

Vice President of Electric Vehicle Services of PLN Icon Plus Anne Aprina, said that the cooperation in the form of joint research is estimated to have a cooperation value of 250 thousand US dollars.

"We estimate (cooperation) will continue to develop apart from the exploit charger. The value we are trying to coordinate is 250,000 dollars and this is still very minimal because we will continue to develop it in the future," explained Anne.

Anne added that this collaboration will last for one year and is a kick-off of cooperation at the Industrial Trade Fair, Hannover Messe, on April 17.

He further added, through the signing of this cooperation, PLN Icon Plus and ABB participated in supporting the government in entering the era of electric vehicles in the country.

"In the future, the growth of the electric vehicle industry will continue to grow rapidly, and therefore PLN Icon Plus will continue to develop Beyond KWh's business, especially to support Battery-Based Electric Motorized Vehicles and its entire ecosystem," added Anne.

Based on data from PT PLN (Persero), until December 2022, the number of Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations or SPKLUs in Indonesia was recorded at 588 units spread across 257 locations.

When compared to the previous year, there has been a significant increase of 120.22%, from the previous 267 units in 197 locations.

As a subholding Beyond kWh, PLN Icon Plus has a mandate from PT PLN (Persero) to develop businesses outside of electricity or the term Beyond KWh. In addition to focusing on connectivity and digital solutions, PLN Icon Plus is now also developing a green energy solution in the form of Photovoltage (PV) Rooftop and encouraging EV growth and its ecosystem.