Singaporean Companies Agree on Billion Dollar Solar Plant Projects in Riau

TheIndonesia.id - Three Singapore-based companies have signed agreement to build solar power plants in Riau Islands, Indonesia, as a commitment to green energy from the two countries.

As reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Riau Islands provincial government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Quantum Power Asia and ib vogt for a solar power plant project which is valued at Rp71.8 trillion (US$5 billion).

The local government also agreed on a large-scale solar plant development with Sunseap Group that will generate and distribute electricity to the province and Singapore. Included in the agreement is a 3,000-hectare area that will become the location of plants.

Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore Suryo Pratomo, who was present on the occasion that took place at the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore, said the signing showed mutual commitment from the neighboring countries to green energy.

He said while Indonesia targets to cut emission by 29 percent, projects and cooperation similar to the aforementioned ones are expected to up the figure to 41 percent.

“The appointment of Riau Islands as the location for renewable energy development is the right decision because the province has about 2,000 uninhabited islands that can be utilized,” Pratomo said.

Riau Islands governor Ansar Ahmad also attended the signing and said his office will keep monitoring the projects.

Quantum Power Asia’s CEO and managing director Simon G. Bell said the projects will not only create environmental impacts, but it will also have social impacts through thousands of job opportunities from the megaproject.

“We’re thrilled to present integrated energy solution in Indonesia. After we were appointed as Singapore’s electricity importer, we will bring more than US$5 billion investment to Indonesia, creating about 30,000 jobs and building the biggest PV storage system ever,” Bell stated.

Similarly, co-founder and business chief executive officer of Sunseap Frank Phuan said the solar energy company’s project in Riau Islands is expected to provide low-cost green energy to people in Indonesia and Singapore and to provide more jobs in the developing sectors in the province.