Jakarta, INTI - President Director of PT PLN (Persero), Darmawan Prasodjo, stated that Indonesia will require approximately 48,000 kilometers of transmission networks as part of its national energy transition strategy. This infrastructure is essential to address the imbalance between the locations of renewable energy sources and electricity demand centers.
He explained that one of the main challenges in developing renewable energy lies in the mismatch between supply and demand. Clean energy sources such as hydropower, solar, and wind are typically located in remote areas, while electricity consumption is concentrated in major economic hubs.
“Unlike fossil fuel plants, which can be built close to demand centers, renewable energy sources are often situated far from where electricity is needed. This makes a strong transmission network crucial,” he said during a working meeting with Commission XII of the Indonesian House of Representatives on April 13, 2026.
PLN’s Supergrid Plan and Clean Energy Expansion Targets
To bridge this gap, PLN is planning to develop a green enabling supergrid that will allow electricity generated from renewable sources to be distributed more broadly and efficiently. The initiative is also part of the government’s broader effort to enhance energy security by reducing dependence on imported energy and shifting toward more sustainable domestic resources.
According to Darmawan, the plan is outlined in PLN’s Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL) 2025–2034. During this period, PLN aims to add 69.5 gigawatts of power generation capacity, with around 76 percent coming from new and renewable energy sources. These include solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower, as well as emerging energy sources such as nuclear, starting with an initial capacity of 500 megawatts.
In addition, PLN will expand the use of battery energy storage systems (BESS). Darmawan noted that this technology has become increasingly cost-effective due to significant price reductions over the past two years, making it a reliable solution to support the stability of intermittent renewable energy supply.
He also emphasized that electricity infrastructure development is now being designed with a more precise, demand-driven approach. Planning for transmission networks, substations, and power plants is aligned with electricity consumption growth in terms of location, timing, and capacity.
“We ensure that infrastructure development aligns with actual on-the-ground needs, making it more efficient and targeted,” he said.
Since the implementation of the RUPTL, PLN has accelerated project execution. As of March 2026, out of 547 priority projects, 353 have entered the procurement phase, 156 are under construction, and 64 have already been commissioned.
Conclusion
PLN’s ambitious plan to build 48,000 kilometers of transmission infrastructure highlights the critical role of grid expansion in Indonesia’s energy transition. By aligning infrastructure development with demand and accelerating renewable energy integration through supergrid systems and storage technology, the initiative not only addresses structural challenges but also strengthens national energy security and long-term sustainability.
Read more: BRIN Develops Xanthan Gum to Improve Efficiency in National Oil and Gas Production