Indonesia’s Min of Energy to Build Integrated Solar Panel Industry Project  

Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) will soon initiate an integrated solar panel industry development project.

Informing about this initiative during the Indosolar Expo 2023 event in Jakarta, Dadan Kusdiana, Director-General of New, Renewable Energy, and Energy Conservation at ESDM, said, “President (Joko Widodo) is expected to make a significant announcement about the integrated solar panel industry later this month or early next month.” He further revealed that Indonesia is on track to become the largest integrated solar industry in the region, supporting the 23-percent renewable energy target and net zero emission goals.

“The project aims to establish Indonesia as the leading solar power player in the ASEAN region,” he said. He further pointed out that ESDM and the Ministry of Investment/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) have been actively seeking a partner to develop the potential solar panel industry in Indonesia. “So we have already secured a partner, but I will not say who it is. But we have had intense discussions. We have visited them and they have also come here. They have chosen the location, but [those details] are for the president to announce,” he informed.

Kusdiana further revealed, “The solar industry project is targeted to produce over 10 gigawatts of solar power. The partner for the project is reportedly a major player in the global solar panel market.” “It is a very large industry, represented by a manufacturer that has a significant share of the global solar panel market,” he disclosed.

Dwelling on the government support, he said, “The government is actively promoting the development of the solar panel industry.”

Recently, Investment Minister/BKPM Head Bahlil Lahadalia met Xinyi Group, a solar panel manufacturer that uses modern and sustainable technology to support the energy transition. It is reported that Xinyi Group has plans to establish a quartz sand or silica sand downstreaming factory in Rembang, Batam, and Riau Islands, thus further supporting Indonesia’s solar industry ambitions.