PLN Signs US$54 Bln Cooperation, Paves Way for Smart Grid

PT PLN (Persero) has signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with two major Chinese energy companies, State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) and Trina Solar China, during the Indonesia-China Business Forum (ICBF) in Beijing. This forum is a part of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation initiated by the Chamber of Commerce Committee of China.

The collaboration with SGCC will encompass the development of an environmentally friendly supergrid transmission line and smart grid, with potential partnership expansion in the future. The partnership also includes joint studies on renewable energy utilization, energy storage, power network integration, and smart network management to enhance Indonesia's power system's reliability, quality, and cost-effectiveness.

Meanwhile, in partnership with Trina Solar, PLN plans to establish the largest solar cell and panel factory in Indonesia within the Kendal Industrial Area in Central Java. This will be achieved through the formation of a joint venture involving PLN Indonesia Power Renewables, Trina Solar, Sinar Mas, and Agra Surya Energi. "We will expand our capacity and production to supply the large-scale solar panel market in Indonesia," PLN's President Director, Darmawan Prasodjo, stated in a recent press release.