Prabowo Inaugurates Renewable Energy Projects Across 15 Provinces

On Thursday, June 26, 2025, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto officially inaugurated the operation and development of renewable energy projects in 15 provinces. The event was held virtually through a video conference from Bali, and it marked the commencement of several significant projects, including the operation of power plants and an increase in oil production. One of the key inaugurations was the Belawan-Ijen Geothermal Power Plant (PLTP) Unit 1 in Bondowoso, East Java. Additionally, the inauguration included the increase in oil production by 30 barrels at the Cepu Block and the groundbreaking of five new geothermal plants across Indonesia.

"With the grace of God, today, Thursday, June 26, 2025, I, Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, inaugurate the operation and development of renewable energy across 15 provinces," President Prabowo announced. He further emphasized that these projects were critical steps toward achieving Indonesia's energy self-sufficiency, a major national goal.

PLTP Belawan-Ijen and Other Renewable Energy Projects

The Belawan-Ijen Geothermal Power Plant officially reached its Commercial Operation Date (COD) on February 9, 2025, with an initial capacity of 34.9 MW out of the planned 110 MW. This project will improve the stability of the electricity grid in the Java-Bali region through a 150 kV transmission network, supplying power to approximately 85,000 households. The project is backed by PT Medco Cahaya Geothermal, which has obtained mining business permits for the Belawan-Ijen Geothermal Mining Area.

In addition to PLTP Belawan-Ijen, the inauguration also included several Photovoltaic Solar Power Plants (PLTS). A total of 47 PLTS units with a combined capacity of 27.8 MW have been launched in 11 provinces, providing electricity access to 5,383 households in remote areas. These projects are spread across regions such as Bali, East Java, East Nusa Tenggara, West Kalimantan, and Papua, with investments amounting to millions of US dollars to improve clean energy availability across the nation.

Operational and Groundbreaking Geothermal Projects

In addition to the Belawan-Ijen Geothermal Plant, two other geothermal power plants were also inaugurated. The Sorik Marapi PLTP Unit 5 in Mandailing Natal, North Sumatra, has a capacity of 41.25 MW, while the Salak Binary PLTP in Sukabumi, West Java, has a capacity of 16.15 MW. These projects are expected to contribute significantly to Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP) and production bonuses, with an estimated additional PNBP of IDR 17.76 billion per year.

President Prabowo also inaugurated five new geothermal power plant projects currently under development, with a combined capacity of 260 MW. These include the Patuha Unit 2 PLTP in Bandung, Salak Unit 7 PLTP in Sukabumi, and the Muaralaboh Unit 2 PLTP in Solok Selatan, West Sumatra, all of which are slated to begin operations between 2026 and 2029.

Ensuring Energy Security and Encouraging Investment

Prabowo highlighted that these projects are part of Indonesia’s long-term strategy to achieve energy security and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The development of renewable energy sources like geothermal and solar power is expected to help the country become more self-reliant in energy and contribute to global efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Moreover, these projects are driving significant investment in the renewable energy sector. With billions of dollars in investments, these inaugurations open up new job opportunities, improve energy infrastructure, and bring economic benefits to regions that were previously underserved.

With the launch of these various renewable energy projects, Indonesia is steadily moving closer to its goal of energy self-sufficiency. The development and operation of these renewable energy power plants demonstrate Indonesia's commitment to sustainable energy practices and reducing dependence on non-renewable resources. This is a major step toward a more self-reliant and sustainable Indonesia in the future.