UAE’s Masdar and Indonesia’s PLN Sign Landmark Agreements for Floating Solar Expansion

In a major step toward enhancing Southeast Asia’s renewable energy capacity, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar, the UAE’s flagship clean energy company, and Indonesia’s state-owned electricity firm PT PLN (Persero), have inked two key agreements to advance floating solar power development in the region.

The agreements were formalized during the state visit of H.E. Prabowo Subianto, President of the Republic of Indonesia, to the United Arab Emirates. Signatories included Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO of Masdar, and Dr. Darmawan Prasodjo, President Director of PLN.

As part of the deal, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to jointly develop a floating solar power project at the Jatigede Dam reservoir in West Java. The initiative follows Masdar’s successful bid under the Hijaunesia 2023 program, where it offered the lowest tariff. Construction is slated to begin this year, with completion expected by 2027.

In addition, the two parties signed a Principles of Agreement to explore expanding Masdar’s existing 145MWac Cirata Floating Photovoltaic Power Plant, which commenced operations in November 2023. The Cirata plant currently supplies clean electricity to over 50,000 homes and offsets approximately 214,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

Masdar’s CEO, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership:

“The Jatigede project will be a strong addition to our collaboration with PLN… These agreements demonstrate our continued commitment to supporting Indonesia’s ambitious renewable energy objectives.”

Echoing this, PLN’s President Director, Dr. Darmawan Prasodjo, stated:

“PLN is fully committed to leading Indonesia’s energy transition. These collaborations reflect the global synergy required to tackle the climate crisis.”

Indonesia, home to more than 17,000 islands and 600+ natural lakes and reservoirs, is considered ideal for floating solar deployment. The country has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, with President Prabowo announcing a target to install over 75GW of renewable capacity within the next 15 years.

The agreements further solidify the UAE’s economic and sustainability-focused engagement with Indonesia. In 2021, Masdar established a regional office in Jakarta and expanded into Indonesia’s geothermal sector in 2023.

Masdar, which increased its global renewable energy capacity from 20GW in 2022 to 51GW by the end of 2024, aims to reach 100GW by 2030, while also becoming a global leader in green hydrogen production.