The 100 GW Solar Power Plant Strategic Program is Key to Energy Self-Sufficiency and Employment Expansion
By: Hafizh Nurfarizi )*
The global energy transition is a strategic issue that cannot be ignored. Countries around the world are racing to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels to create a cleaner, more sustainable, and more energy-independent future. Indonesia, with its vast renewable energy potential, certainly cannot afford to be left behind.
The 100- gigawatt (GW ) Solar Power Plant (PLTS) development program initiated by President Prabowo Subianto’s administration through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) is not only a bold step, but also a visionary strategy to ensure energy independence while opening up broad employment opportunities.
Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia stated that the government is currently developing a strategy to utilize the Red and White Village Cooperative (Kopdes) as the basis for solar power plant (PLTS) development. This scheme not only strengthens energy infrastructure but also directly involves village communities as key actors in clean energy management. By involving village cooperatives, this program presents a community-based approach that is equitable and upholds the principle of equitable development.
Bahlil also emphasized the importance of optimizing Indonesia’s solar energy potential, which reaches thousands of gigawatts . One way to do this is by partnering with global solar module manufacturers, including a collaboration with a Chinese Solar PV company. Technology transfer and investment from international partners are key to accelerating the development of national solar power plants.
This international collaboration is not only intended to build solar power plants (PLTS) but also to strengthen the domestic solar energy supply chain. Through strategic cooperation, domestic solar cell and module production capacity can be increased, reducing reliance on imports. This will enable the national renewable energy ecosystem to grow more robustly. This aligns with the government’s priority of ensuring that the 100 GW solar power program truly supports national energy self-sufficiency.
Fabby Tumiwa, Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), emphasized that the government’s move is right on target to address the challenges of the energy transition. Indonesia has enormous solar energy potential, reaching between 3,300 GW and 20,000 GW from Sabang to Merauke. With increasingly competitive solar power technology, flexibility, and ease of operation, this project is not just a technical solution but also a strategic answer to the need for reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy access.
This program also demonstrates the government’s commitment to reducing emissions, increasing energy security, and leveraging solar energy as a driver of green economic development. Solar power plants (PLTS) offer an advantage over other energy sources, including their flexibility. Construction doesn’t have to be centralized in one large location but can be distributed modularly across various regions.
This way, energy access can be enjoyed equitably, even in remote areas, supporting equitable development, a major vision of the current government. This is also a smart solution to accelerate dedieselization, or the replacement of diesel-fueled power plants, which have been burdening PLN’s operational costs. Furthermore, this solution can also reduce air pollution.
The Director General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBTKE) at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Eniya Listiani Dewi, explained that her office is currently aligning PLN’s dedieselization program data with the planned development of solar power plants (PLTS) at the village level. She explained that each region has different characteristics and energy needs, so the type of solar power plant construction to be used will be ground- mounted or another form, and must be determined according to regional conditions.
This step demonstrates that the government is not simply pursuing the 100 GW target but also ensuring that each development project meets the needs of the community. This adaptive and participatory approach will ensure the program’s long-term sustainability. Beyond the technical aspects, the 100 GW solar power program also offers significant benefits to the national economy.
The development of large-scale energy infrastructure will undoubtedly require a significant workforce, including construction, operation, and maintenance. The government estimates that this project will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs, especially in the areas where solar power plants are located. Furthermore, the presence of village cooperatives as energy managers will stimulate local economic growth through more equitable distribution of benefits.
However, the success of this program requires solid synergy. The government, business sector, community, and international partners must work together to oversee the implementation of the 100 GW solar power plant. Transparency, accountability, and regulatory certainty are key factors to ensure that incoming investment is truly productive. Public support is equally crucial, as public awareness of using clean energy will accelerate the transformation toward energy self-sufficiency.
Amid global challenges, including fluctuating fossil fuel prices, geopolitical uncertainty, and the climate crisis, Indonesia must be able to stand on its own two feet when it comes to energy. The strategic 100 GW solar power plant program is a concrete solution to ensure Indonesia is no longer dependent on energy imports, while paving the way for equitable energy sovereignty. With this bold step, the government is laying the foundation for a brighter future for future generations.
)* The author is a government policy observer
