Indonesia has abundant potential of solar energy, which is around 207.8 gigawatt.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Ministry has said it supports the cooperation between Sabang port authorities and PT Empat Mitra Indika Surya Power and PT Enertec Mitra Solusi to turn Sabang into a green port.

The partnership has been registered through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Sabang Free Trade Area and Port Management Office (BPKS) with PT Empat Mitra Indika Surya Power (EMITS) and PT Enertec Mitra Solusi (ENERTEC).

Solar panels will be installed at the port under the MoU, officials informed.

"This collaboration aims to improve the potential of Sabang as a commercial city through the utilization of renewable energy," deputy for coordinating maritime sovereignty and energy at the ministry, Basilio Dias Araujo, said while witnessing the MoU signing here on Thursday.

He added that use of solar panels would reduce energy costs and pollution, support local businesses, as well as contribute to energy independence.

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The collaboration to turn Sabang Port into a smart and green port is in accordance with the state-owned electricity enterprises PT PLN (Persero)’s green booster program, he said.

Currently, PT PLN (Persero) is increasing the renewable energy proportion in its electricity provision plan to a minimum of 48 percent, the deputy informed.

Furthermore, he said that solar energy utilization in Indonesia needs to be improved.

"Indonesia has abundant potential of solar energy, which is around 207.8 gigawatt. However, the current utilization has only reached 153.8 megawatt," he pointed out.

The cooperation is a breakthrough program in the Aceh and Sabang regions to meet the electricity supply for the Sabang area and free port, he said. The cooperation model will also be applied to other strategic ports across Indonesia, he added.

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Translator: Ade Junida, Uyu Liman
Editor: Suharto
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