"I have spoken to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister for Foreign Trade, Dr. Thani, to increase the PLTS' capacity to approximately 500 MWp," he remarked after inaugurating the Cirata floating PLTS in Purwakarta, West Java, on Thursday as accessed from the Presidential Secretariat video.
The president expressed hope that the realization of investment in new and renewable energy (NRE) through the Cirata floating PLTS would encourage other investors to invest in developing NRE infrastructure, such as solar power, hydropower, geothermal, and wind power plants, in Indonesia.
Jokowi also stated that several investors in the NRE sector were interested in investing in Indonesia. Among potential investors are large investors interested in hydroelectric power plants. However, the investment plan had yet to be finalized.
"We cannot accept all investors. We have an ongoing plan with investors in the hydropower sector. It is not yet final," he remarked.
He expressed hope that the Cirata floating PLTS would increase the realization of NRE in the national energy mix to reach 23 percent in accordance with the target in 2025. However, he admits that to achieve this target, the country needs to work hard.
"It is not an easy job to do, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we have committed to pursue the target," Jokowi stated.
According to the president, the Cirata floating PLTS is the largest PLTS in Southeast Asia that compliments the existing hydroelectric power plant, with a capacity of one thousand MW in the region.
The Cirata floating PLTS was built as a result of collaboration between the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), state-run electricity company (PT PLN), and a company from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Masdar.
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Translator: Indra Arief P, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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