PLN, UPC Renewables signed MoU on wind power plant

By Cepi Setiadi

State-owned electricity firm PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (Persero) (PLN) stated that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with UPC Renewables Group, the United States' based renewable developer, on a feasibility study to develop wind farms in several locations in Indonesia.

The MoU was signed by Nicke Widyawati, PLN's Corporate Planning Director in the presence of President Joko Widodo, during his state visit to the United States, Syah Darwin Siregar, PLN's Head of New and Renewable Energy Division, told Petromindo.com on Wednesday.

The MoU was among the US$20 billion business agreements signed by Indonesian and American companies during the event.

"The MoU is to conduct a feasibility study for the development of wind farms in Sukabumi, West Java, Nusa Penida Island, Bali, Selayar Island and Sidrap in South Sulawesi," Darwin said adding the total capacity of the wind farms may reach 350 MW.

"The actual capacity will depend on the result of the feasibility study," he said adding the feasibility study should be conducted within one year after the signing of the MoU.

He noted the projects will be part of the 35,000 MW power projects.

UPC Renewables is a leading worldwide Renewable Developer with over 20 years of global experience pioneering and building world-class wind projects in the mountains, deserts and volcanic islands of United States, the Islands of the Philippines, to the hills of Italy and the steppes of Inner Mongolia.

In Indonesia, the group, through its subsidiary UPC Renewables Indonesia established PT UPC Sidrap Bayu Energi, a joint venture with PT Binatek Energi Terbarukan and SunEdison, to develop the Sidrap 70 MW wind project in Sidrap. The project is currently on the construction phase

Editing by Johannes Simbolon