PLN Develops Clean Energy With Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power Company

Photo: Doc. PLN

PT PLN (Persero) is trying optimally in developing new and renewable energy (EBT) to reduce emissions from the electricity sector, one of which is by collaborating with energy companies from Saudi Arabia ACWA Power.

PLN's collaboration with ACWA Power was realized in a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) conducted by PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo and Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer ACWA Power, Padmannathan witnessed by Deputy Minister of SOEs I Pahala Nugraha Mansury, and Director General of Electricity Dadan Kusdiana in the G20 Summit series, in Nusa Dua Bali, Monday 14 November.

Deputy Minister I of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Pahala Mansury said the signing of the MoU was a bridge for both parties to expand cooperation in the development of clean energy. This is in line with the Indonesian government's steps in achieving the Net Zero Emission (NZE) target in 2060.

"This collaboration is a strategic step for both parties to achieve the world's ideals in reducing carbon emissions. In the future, both parties can explore cooperation not only for electricity, but also outside of electricity, including hydrogen development," said Pahala.

The Director General of Electricity Dadan Kusdiana revealed that Indonesia has a lot of potential EBT, with this collaboration it will make the development of EBT even more massive.

"PLN is very aggressive in trying to see opportunities and the possibility of developing more green energy. Of course there are many challenges for PLN. But I think this is an energy transition process," he said.

PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo said that dealing with climate change is not only a challenge to preserve the environment, but also a business opportunity. In the future, there will be many PLN agendas in the energy transition that require collaboration from all parties.

"ACWA Power and PLN have built very strong, long-term, and productive cooperation," said Darmawan.

Darmawan added that PLN's cooperation with ACWA Power had previously been established in the construction of Floating Solar Power Plants in Singkarak and Saguling, whose MoU was signed in October 2022. Today PLN and ACWA are adding more cooperation and today's commitment is a wider commitment, exploring opportunities for joint business expansion, not only domestically, but also abroad.

PLN and ACWA Power are also facing the challenges of technological developments. So PLN and ACWA are exploring the development of EBT projects, such as Photovoltaic Surya, Angin, Hydro, Pump Storage, Battery Peaker, Battery Storage, PasangRur, and Panas Bumi. In fact, we will work together to develop Green Hydrogen and Green Amonia facilities.

"ACWA Power supports PLN in Indonesia by collaborating on strategies, technology and investment," he said.

ACWA Power CEO Padmannathan revealed that Indonesia is a unique archipelagic country with a natural resource diversity that can be used as an EBT source such as geothermal, solar, wind and river heat. Through this collaboration, it will be a bridge for both parties to collaborate to support energy transition and reduce carbon emissions.

"We want to explore with PLN in developing renewable energy, expanding hydrogen to reduce carbon dioxide," he concluded.