Indonesia aims to convert 250MW of diesel-generated power to renewable energy this year and will need battery storage to do this successfully. Image: PLN. Indonesia’s state-owned utility and battery producer have launched a 5MW battery energy storage system (BESS) pilot project as it seeks to move away from diesel-generated power.
Indonesia has implemented several regulations to support the development of EV charging infrastructure. The government has established a legal framework that mandates the accessibility and development of electric charging stations. This framework includes local content requirements for battery production and charging stations.
The country’s state-owned utility PLN has signed a memorandum of understanding with another state-owned body, the Indonesia Battery Corporation (IBC), to build the BESS this year, PLN said.
Considering the sheer difference in geographical layout of the two countries, Indonesia shoulders the challenge of ensuring not only the existence of and accessibility to EV chargers in more remote areas, but that all EV chargers across its five islands have sufficient access to the power grid
To review Indonesia's electricity system, at least the approach that can be used is a review with developing countries that have the same characteristics or natural resource potential, e.g., Indonesia and some countries in ASEAN are rich in solar energy potential, but lacking in wind energy sources .
The projects will enable Indonesia to reduce its reliance on diesel generation in smaller isolated grids and replace this with clean and reliable energy from the sun. The program that was tendered out by PLN earlier in 2023 entails the delivery of a total of 60MWp of solar and 175MWh of storage capacity.