Article published on www.thejakartaglobe.com on April 25, 2013
The government is planning to build 36 new solar power plants across Indonesia, especially in isolated and border areas, an official said on Thursday.
Alihudin Sitompul, the director of renewable energy and energy conservation at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, said that the government was targeting to increase the number of solar power plants to 153 this year, up from last year’s 117.
The development of solar power plants face tougher financial, technical and other constraints than other types of power sources, Alihudin said, but that the government was relying on partnerships to help manage the construction.
“So far, our policies regarding the development of solar power plants are already good. However, our partners should be able to decide whether the [solar plant projects] are feasible or not, so that they do not force themselves to do them,” he said.
Speaking on the sidelines of a workshop on renewable energy in Jakarta, Alihudin said that forcing unfeasible projects to realization often results in delays, improper installation, lower quality plants and higher prices.
He said that the central government and its provincial counterparts have earmarked Rp 1 trillion ($103 million) for solar power plant construction this year, an increase from last year’s budget of Rp 700 billion.
