Pessimistic Observer 3.6 GW Rooftop Solar Power Plant Capacity Target Reached In 2025

Illustration of PLTS Roof Installation. (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The development of Rooftop Solar Power Plants (PLTS) is one of the government's concerns to push the target for the new renewable energy mix (EBT).

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) targets the installed capacity of rooftop solar panels to reach 3.6 gigawatts (GW) in 2025.

Energy Watch Executive Director Mamit Setiawan assessed that PLN's steps in boosting the development of EBT plants, especially PLTS, should be appreciated. However, he admitted that he was pessimistic that the target could be achieved.

"With PLN's current oversupply condition, I am a bit pessimistic that this target can be achieved," Mamit told VOI, Friday, May 13.

Moreover, he said, since it was enforced in August 2021, the implementation of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation No. 26/2021 regarding Rooftop PLTS has not yet been implemented.

"Because PLN and the government currently have to bear the burden of the oversupply of electricity from existing power plants in Indonesia and are trying to absorb this oversupply by the market in the midst of our emerging economy after the pandemic," added Mamit.

He added, if the excess supply cannot be absorbed optimally, then PLTS will force the PLN system so that it can have an impact on PLN's operations in the future.

"I think we need to be careful in pursuing the target of this Rooftop PLTS. Do not let it affect everything, including the government because of the increase in the subsidy burden coming from EBT," said Mamit.

Mamit also encouraged the government to develop other EBT power plants due to the intermittent nature of PLTS Roofs because they depend on sunlight and cannot be used throughout the day.

"I think our renewable energy source is still very large besides PLTS. There is geothermal, there is hydropower which can be a peaker because it is not intermittent. For the others, all NRE is still intermittent until a long-lasting battery with a large capacity is found," concluded Mamit.

For information, the installed capacity of Rooftop PLTS until December 2021 was only 48.79 MW with a total of 4,794 customers spread throughout Indonesia.