Indonesia Launches Largest Rooftop Solar Plant, Boosting Green Energy Push

Indonesia has taken a significant stride towards its climate goals with the inauguration of its largest rooftop solar power plant (PLTS) in the commercial and industrial sector. This landmark project, boasting a capacity of 22.5 megawatts, represents a substantial investment in renewable energy and a clear signal of the nation's commitment to combating climate change.

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Rooftop solar power is actually part of Indonesia's commitment to tackling climate change, which has targeted NZE by 2060. But specifically for the industrial manufacturing sector, at the direction of the Minister, we want our industrial sector's NZE to be achieved in 2050.

The sheer scale of this PLTS is impressive. Spanning 122,783 square meters – equivalent to about 12.2 hectares or 17 times the area of the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) main stadium – it underscores the ambition behind Indonesia's green energy transition. Beyond its size, the plant is projected to slash carbon emissions by over 26.8 million kilograms annually and reduce coal dependency by more than 20,000 kilograms per year. These figures highlight the tangible impact of such initiatives on environmental protection.

Emmy Suryandari, Head of the Standardization and Industrial Services Policy Agency at the Ministry of Industry, emphasized that this PLTS is a crucial part of Indonesia's broader commitment to achieving net-zero emissions (NZE) by 2060. She specifically noted the ministry's aim for the industrial manufacturing sector to reach NZE by 2050, a target that requires robust decarbonization strategies. These strategies include energy efficiency, the use of low-carbon fuels, and, crucially, the adoption of renewable energy sources like solar power.

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I certainly hope this can be replicated. Industry's natural business is to believe what they see. If there is a successful industry, other industries will follow, compared to just believing what is said.

Suryandari expressed optimism that this successful project will serve as a replicable model for other industries. The principle of "seeing is believing" holds true in the industrial sector; when one company demonstrates success with a new technology, others are more likely to follow. If the PLTS proves to provide cost savings, it is expected to trigger a wave of similar installations across the country. This bottom-up adoption, driven by proven economic benefits, is key to accelerating Indonesia's energy transition. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources also reported a steady increase in national rooftop PLTS capacity, with the industrial sector showing the largest installed capacity, reinforcing the trend towards greater adoption of solar energy in Indonesia.

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In 2026, we recorded that the rooftop solar power that has been installed as PLN customers nationally reached 861.4 MWp, originating from 11,840 customers.