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World’s largest floating solar park to be built in Batam
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(Courtesy of BP Batam)
B
atam Indonesia Free Trade Zone Authority (BP Batam) has signed two MoUs to build the world’s largest floating solar power plant (PLTS) in Batam.
The first MoU, an investment worth approximately US$2 billion, was signed by BP Batam chairman Muhammad Rudi and Sunseap Group Pte. Ltd cofounder and CEO Frank Phuan on July 19.
The second MoU, worth US$470 million, was signed with PT Toba Bara Energi on Aug. 12, attended by PT Toba Bara Energi director Dimas Adi, PT Toba Bara Energi commissioner Nizar Rachman, BP Batam chairman Muhammad Rudi, BP Batam vice chairman Purwiyanto, BP Batam administration member Wahjoe Triwidijo Koentjoro and BP Batam investment and area management member Sudirman Saad.
SunSeap Group will build a floating solar park in Duriangkang Dam, Batam’s largest dam. The approximately 1,600 hectares of solar panels is estimated to generate up to 2.2 GWp of electricity with an energy storage system capacity of 4,000 MWh, making it the current largest floating solar park in the world.
Along with the solar park, SunSeap Group will also establish SunSeap Academy to serve as a recruitment and training facility for the solar park. The project will begin in 2022 and is expected to be completed in 2024, with more than 3,000 local workers involved.
The second floating solar park will be built by PT Toba Bara Energi in Tembesi Dam, with a potential generating capacity of 333 MWp.
Floating solar parks offer a slew of benefits, one of which is to maintain water levels and reduce evaporation, as Batam is reliant on rainwater collected by the dams. The water also helps cool down the solar panel temperature for them to work optimally.
Aside from the Duriangkang and Tembesi, Batam is currently home to four other dams that can be utilized. The agreements highlight BP Batam’s commitment to renewable energy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels in light of the worldwide threat of climate change.
