Exploring New Renewable Energy Potential, Government Offers Kayan Cascade Hydropower Plant To China

The hydroelectric power plant was built on the Kayan river by PT Kayan Hydro Energi. (Doc VOI)

BANDUNG - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) admits that it has offered several potential water energy to other countries.

Expert Staff to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDA) Lana Saria revealed that some time ago the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia had offered the Kayan hydroelectric power plant (PLTA) project owned by PT Kayan Hydro Energy (KHE) and located in Bulungan Regency, North Kalimantan.

"The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources opens opportunities for collaboration with China and conveys the potential for new and renewable energy resources owned by Indonesia, such as hydropower plants in Kayan and Mamberamo in Papua," Lana said at the Bakohumas forum of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in Bandung, Thursday, September 12.

Lana said the offer was made by Bahlil on the Indonesia China Energy Forum (ICEF) agenda on Tuesday, September 3 in Bali.

Previously, PT KHE revealed that the cooperation with Sumitomo Corporation had ended.

"The cooperation with Sumitomo Corporation has ended. We open up opportunities for all parties who want to be involved in the Kayan Cascade hydropower project," said PT KHE President Director Andrew Sebastian Suryali, Monday, July 22.

Meanwhile, at the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), the Japanese energy company is reviewing investment in the Kayan Cascade Hydropower Project in North Kalimantan.

The hydropower development project with a capacity of 9000 MW is estimated to cost around 17.8 billion US dollars, including the construction of transmission lines and substations.

The Kayan Cascade Project presentation captivated the participants, highlighting the annual electric output potential of 36 Terawatt-hours.

This project is expected to accelerate the transition of environmentally friendly energy in Kalimantan, thus significantly reducing national electricity costs.

The investment of Japanese companies in this project not only supports the AZEC initiative, but also strengthens Indonesia's journey towards an environmentally friendly energy transition without sacrificing energy resilience.