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Seizing Indonesia's post-COP28 moment
As solar, wind and other renewable inputs grow, Indonesia must continue modernizing grids to handle future massive renewable capacity that will be integrated into the system.
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Final tweaks: Technicians check panels on Sept. 29, 2023 at the Cirata floating solar photovoltaic plant, located at Cirata Reservoir in Purwakarta, West Java. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo inaugurated the floating solar power plant, the largest in Southeast Asia, on Nov. 9. (Antara/Raisan Al Farisi)
W
ith a historic commitment to triple installed renewable energy capacity worldwide to over 11,000 gigawatts (GW) by 2030, the recent COP28 climate summit exhibited global ambition to reduce emissions in the face of growing climate risks.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), this would increase renewable generation to more than 40,000 terawatt-hours (TWh) while driving US$10.4 trillion in total investment. With variable renewable energy (vRE) such as solar and onshore wind accounting for more than 60 percent of new capacity, this milestone validates renewables' growing cost-competitiveness.
Now that the climate clock has reset, it is up to individual countries to fulfill their respective responsibilities under the agreement.
With its advantageous location, Indonesia should step up to the plate in the coming years and take audacious national initiatives that align with the COP28 pledge. Indonesia, located near the equator, surrounded by oceans, and straddling a volcanic Ring of Fire, has enormous solar, wind, geothermal and hydropower potential that is yet to be utilized.
The rising archipelagic economy may turn such renewable riches into a significant strategic advantage if policies effectively reflect and accelerate technological developments that reach parity with fossil fuel power costs.
During COP26 two years ago, Indonesia made admirable high-level promises to carbon neutrality by 2060. However, near-term policy and actions tracking Indonesia's emissions trajectory have lagged behind the target and thus more effort is needed. Against this backdrop, Indonesia could play a vital role in redefining its climate stance and growth dynamics through investments that improve energy security, resilience and access for a growing population.
A glimpse of such floating potential became a reality in November 2023 upon the inauguration of the Cirata floating photovoltaic (FPV) power plant, built on the surface of the country’s largest man-made lake. Cirata’s 192 megawatt peak (MWp) PV capacity marks a high watermark to date for floating solar deployments as it is the largest FPV in Southeast Asia and the third largest globally.
