April 21, 2026 | 10:04 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is targeting the completion of a 17-gigawatt capacity solar power plant (PLTS) construction this year. The target was conveyed by Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto after meeting Prabowo at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
According to Brian, Prabowo specifically requested the rapid readiness of the solar power plant to replace diesel-based power plants. "The President inquired about its progress and requested an acceleration," said Brian in his statement after the meeting.
He stated that the government is optimistic about meeting the target of constructing a solar power plant with a capacity of 17 gigawatts. The target includes the addition of PLTS capacity as well as the reduction of diesel-powered power plants (PLTD).
"For now, based on calculations done together with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, PLN, Danantara, and several experts from universities, approximately 17 gigawatts can be installed with PLTS," said Brian.
However, Brian has not disclosed the locations of these solar power plants. He mentioned that PLN (state electricity company) will handle this matter as the main executor. "The locations will all be determined by PLN as the implementer of the program," he added.
Previously, President Prabowo formed a task force to accelerate Indonesia's transition to clean energy. This task force will be responsible for efforts to replace fossil energy sources, such as diesel and oil, with renewable energy.
Prabowo appointed Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia as the head or coordinator of this task force. "The President has formed a task force team to expedite the energy conversion, and we have been assigned tasks by the President as the head of the task force," said Bahlil after a meeting with Prabowo at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
Bahlil stated that the task force aims to convert diesel-powered power plants into solar power plants up to 100 gigawatts. "By converting from PLTD, diesel, to PLTS, we will achieve efficiency in our electricity subsidies," Bahlil added.
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