- PowerChina has completed the Cirata floating photovoltaic (FPV) power plant, Indonesia’s first large-scale floating solar facility.
- The 192-megawatt project supplies 25% of the country’s renewable energy output.
PowerChina has completed the construction of the Cirata floating photovoltaic power plant in Indonesia. This marks the commissioning of the largest facility of its kind in Southeast Asia. The plant, with a capacity of 192 megawatts, is located on the Cirata Reservoir in West Java Province. It has been supplying power to the national grid since November 2023.
The project is a joint venture between Indonesian state-owned utility Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) and Emirati firm Masdar. It is Indonesia’s first large-scale floating photovoltaic (FPV) project. The facility generates 300,000 megawatt-hours per year, providing electricity for 50,000 households. It contributes 25% of Indonesia’s current renewable energy output.
PowerChina implemented technical innovations to suit the reservoir’s conditions. Engineers designed a unique anchoring system using metal shear keys and concrete counterweights to adapt to the irregular underwater terrain. Wind tunnel tests and digital simulations helped optimise the panel layout and ensure stability in strong winds.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo praised the project, emphasising its role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Cirata plant is expected to save 117,000 tonnes of coal per year, significantly cutting emissions linked to electricity production.
The project highlights the increasing role of multinational partnerships in Southeast Asia’s energy infrastructure. PowerChina operates under an industrial cooperation framework that integrates specialised engineering and international financing. This approach helps partner countries achieve their energy goals.
The success of the Cirata project could encourage similar developments in Indonesia and other island nations. Limited land availability makes floating solar technology attractive for expanding renewable energy capacity. With this achievement, PowerChina strengthens its position as a key player in the region’s renewable energy sector.