ABB Supports The Largest Floating PLTS Supply In Southeast Asia

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - A global company in the field of electrification and ABB automation presents the leading technology electricity distribution solution.

The presence of ABB aims to support the largest Floating Solar Power Plant (PLTS) in Southeast Asia distributing reliable and environmentally friendly energy supplies to around 50,000 homes.

The floating 250 hectare PLTS, located in the Cirata Reservoir, West Java, was inaugurated by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo some time ago.

This project is similar to various floating solar power installation projects in the world built on hydroelectric power plants with the aim of producing reliable, efficient and clean electricity supply.

This step is in line with the results of a journal Nature study that calculates the amount of electrical energy generated from the use of 10 percent of existing hydropower worldwide through floating solar panels is equivalent to fossil fuel electricity worldwide.

In line with this, the Government integrates an increase in the portion of renewable energy into the electricity system as a crucial thing in supporting the achievement of the renewable energy target of 23 percent by 2025.

The Cirata Floating PLTS project is a collaboration between the Indonesian government, through PT PLN Nusantara Power and Masdar, a renewable energy group based in AbuDhabi.

By cooperating with local experts, ABB managed to install, test, and operate a primary air-insulating switch (AIS) of medium voltage (MV) in the first phase of the project which has a capacity of 192-megawatt peak (MWp), or almost 30 times the capacity of Europe's largest Floating Solar Power Field, namely Alqueva reservoir, Portugal.

In addition, the anchor and mooring used at the Cirata Dam, which reaches a depth of 100 meters, is the deepest in the world. The existence of this floating PLTS is expected to prevent 214,000-ton carbon dioxide emissions every year.

"We are proud to be a part of this project, which is not only strategic for the Indonesian government, but also provides a positive signal for other global economies that intend to increase their decarbonization targets through Floating Solar Power Plants," said Ken Yap, Commercial Vice President at ABB's Electrification business in Indonesia.

The leading technology of ABB is an important part of the reliable renewable energy distribution of the first floating photovoltaic power (PV) power plant on a utilty scale in Indonesia and the largest in Southeast Asia. A strong distribution infrastructure is very important for the success of the Indonesian government's plan to increase the portion of renewable energy in its energy mix, and we are very enthusiastic to be a part of the journey," he added.

The ABB solution, which includes 17 AIS UniGear ZS1 primary MV panels, which are equipped with Relion fire protection relays, aims to control, protect, and isolate electrical equipment and ensure the reliability of electricity supply. The device also requires minimum maintenance that allows optimal investment returns.

Furthermore, the protection and control of the feeder of a series of Relions products, REF615 can improve safety as it allows for remote operation and control.

In addition, the number of switches can be easily increased, along with the increasing need for future generators.

Another advantage of floating PV is that the modules are maintained in cool conditions because they are surrounded by water around them so that they have an impact on optimal efficiency.

Currently, new renewable energy contributes 14 percent of the total energy mix in Indonesia.

Therefore, the Government has targeted the addition of 60 other floating PV installations such as the Cirata power plant to achieve the target of 23 percent renewable energy by 2025, and 31 percent by 2050.

Supported by 100 reservoirs and 521 natural lakes across the country, Indonesia has enormous potential to achieve the targets in question, and the Cirata project will become a blueprint to replicate more floating solar power plants in various parts of Indonesia and around the world.

The Cirata Floating Solar Power Plant employed more than 1,400 local residents during its construction process, and recorded more than 2 million working hours without accidents.