Indonesia to host the world’s largest solar farm and it’s on water

Sunseap and BP Batam to build one of the largest and most powerful renewable energy storage systems on Batam Island shores. 

Indonesia will soon be home to one of the world’s largest combined solar and storage projects, with Singapore-based developer Sunseap planning to build a 2,200 MW floating solar farm on water. 

In collaboration with Badan Pengusahaan Batam (BP Batam), the estimated $2 billion project will be installed on Duriangkang Reservoir on Batam Island, and is expected to cover an area of 1,600 hectares. 

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sunseap, Frank Phuan, says he is honoured to partner with BP Batam on this project which will help promote sustainable development and bring affordable energy to the region.

“This hyperscale project is a significant milestone for Sunseap coming soon after we had completed Singapore’s first offshore floating solar farm along the Straits of Johor,” Phuan says.

“We believe that floating solar systems will go a long way to address the land constraints that urbanised parts of Southeast Asia face in tapping renewable energy.”

The energy storage system (ESS) will also hold one of the largest storage capacities seen, storing more than 4,000 MW per hour and generating more than 2,600 GWh of electricity per annum. 

Such a result could potentially counteract more than 1.8 million metric tonnes of carbon annually, which equates to removing more than 400,000 cars from our roads each year. 

The project will generate thousands of jobs, with Sunseap also planning to set up an academy in Batam which could see 3,000 locals involved in the construction of the project. 

“This investment by Sunseap will be a timely boost for Batam’s industries as they seek to reduce the carbon footprint of their operations,” says Muhammad Rudi, Chairman of BP Batman. 

“At the same time, it will create jobs and transfer skills to Batam’s clean energy sector.”

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2022 with its expected completion set for 2024.

Written by Rebecca Borg