On November 19-20, 2025, a delegation from PLN Papua and Papua Barat embarked on a journey that symbolized far more than a technical study tour. Traveling from the rugged, forested highlands of Papua to the industrial heartland of West Java, the group—accompanied by 19 journalists from various Papuan media outlets—visited the iconic Cirata hydropower plant (PLTA) and the vast floating solar power station (PLTS Terapung Cirata) in Purwakarta. The trip, packaged as a media gathering and benchmarking initiative, revealed a growing determination within PLN to transform Papua’s energy landscape by studying one of Indonesia’s most advanced renewable energy facilities. It also reflected a broader national effort to decentralize clean energy development, bringing new ideas, new technologies, and new visions to Indonesia’s easternmost region. What the delegation witnessed in Cirata was not just an engineering marvel but a powerful illustration of how renewable energy—when designed at scale—can reshape communities and accelerate economic growth.
Cirata’s Dual Power: Hydropower Strength Meets Floating Solar Innovation
The massive Cirata complex sits peacefully atop a reservoir surrounded by rolling hills. At first glance, the dam conveys the familiar image of conventional hydropower: concrete walls, roaring turbines, and transmission lines snaking through the valley. But Cirata is also home to something far newer—Indonesia’s largest floating solar power plant, a sprawling network of photovoltaic panels covering the surface of the reservoir like a shimmering artificial archipelago.
The hydropower plant itself has long been a backbone of the Java–Bali electricity system, reliably supplying power to millions of homes and industries. Its capacity, exceeding 1,000 megawatts, reflects an era when large hydro projects dominated Indonesia’s renewable portfolio. Yet, as energy demand grows and climate commitments tighten, PLN has sought new ways to diversify clean energy sources. This is where the floating solar facility enters the story. Built across approximately 200 hectares of reservoir surface, the floating solar plant features hundreds of thousands of panels supported by modular buoyant structures. Together, they produce nearly 200 megawatts of clean energy—making it one of the largest floating solar installations in Southeast Asia. For the PLN delegation from Papua, the technological integration between hydropower and floating solar offered crucial insights. Not only does the pairing allow for efficient land use, but it also creates an energy hybrid system in which hydropower provides stability while solar adds flexibility. The result is a continuous and environmentally friendly supply of electricity that can operate with a significantly lower carbon footprint.
Why Papua Looks to Cirata: A Region of Potential and Persistent Challenges
Papua is a land of superlatives. It hosts Indonesia’s highest mountains, its biggest landmass in the east, and its longest rivers. Yet despite such natural wealth, energy access remains uneven, unreliable, and expensive. The majority of Papua’s power systems operate in isolated grids, many of which still depend on diesel generators that require costly fuel transport over long distances. PLN currently manages hundreds of these isolated systems across the region, and while many have begun incorporating renewable energy, the scale remains modest compared to Papua’s enormous potential.
This is why Cirata feels relevant. Papua possesses vast water bodies, calm bays, deep lakes, and wide rivers that offer opportunities for floating solar development. Hydropower potential is also immense, though often underutilized because of investment barriers, geographic remoteness, and environmental sensitivities. Floating solar solutions reduce land-use conflicts, avoid deforestation pressures, and enable installation in areas where land acquisition would otherwise be complex. For PLN Papua, the Cirata plant represents a realistic model—perhaps scaled smaller, perhaps localized—but one that could unlock the region’s energy independence. The promise is particularly crucial in coastal areas and inland water systems where communities remain far from main grids. Solar power that floats rather than competes with land-based development could bring electricity to remote villages in ways that are practical, sustainable, and socially accepted.
Inside the Study Visit: Journalists, Engineers, and the Search for Innovation
The study trip unfolded not merely as a technical exercise but as an immersive experience for the visiting journalists. They walked across floating power platforms, listened to PLN engineers explain the science behind hydropower turbines, and observed maintenance operations of the solar modules. The sight of thousands of solar panels glimmering on the water surface left a strong impression, especially for those coming from regions where energy supply remains unreliable.
PLN Papua’s communications team emphasized the importance of involving journalists. They believe the public must understand that renewable energy is not a distant dream but an increasingly accessible reality. By showing Papuan journalists the operational success of Cirata, PLN hopes to build public trust and encourage community support for similar projects in the east. The delegation also discussed how to integrate floating solar with existing isolated grids, the feasibility of developing micro-hydropower combined with solar arrays, and the potential for hybrid systems to reduce Papua’s dependence on diesel fuel. The exchange of ideas reflected PLN’s broader strategy: to not simply replicate Cirata, but to adapt its principles to Papua’s unique geography and cultural context.
Technical Lessons: How Floating Solar Can Strengthen Papua’s Power System
From a technical standpoint, the Papua delegation focused heavily on understanding how floating solar complements hydropower. Engineers at Cirata explained that floating solar performs better because water keeps the panels cool, allowing higher efficiency. The buoyant structures are built to withstand strong winds and varying water levels, and maintenance is easier than expected due to accessible walkways between floating platforms. Papua’s rivers and lakes—from Sentani to Paniai to the reservoirs planned in inland areas—could support similar installations. Meanwhile, hydropower, whether large-scale or micro-hydro, can provide the essential baseload power that solar alone cannot. By pairing the two technologies, Papua could build a resilient grid that balances stability with sustainability.
Another lesson involved grid integration. Java has a robust transmission system, while Papua does not. This means future floating solar installations in Papua would likely link to microgrids or regional mini-grids rather than one central network. In several Papuan districts, such hybrid microgrids could power clinics, schools, fishing ports, and agricultural processing centers. The Cirata visit helped PLN identify which design principles could be scaled down effectively and which required adaptation.
The Economic Case: Reducing Diesel Dependence and Opening New Investment Paths
Beyond technical inspiration, the visit underscored the economic rationale for renewable energy development in Papua. Diesel generation is expensive—often the costliest form of electricity in remote Indonesia. Transporting fuel to Papua’s highlands or coastal islands can multiply operational costs, burden PLN’s subsidies, and expose communities to price fluctuations. Floating solar and hydropower, while requiring significant upfront investment, offer long-term cost stability. Once built, operating expenses are low, predictable, and environmentally sound. PLN Papua also views renewable energy as a catalyst for broader investment. If Papua demonstrates readiness for floating solar or hybrid hydro-solar projects, it could attract international financing similar to what enabled Cirata’s development.
Environmental and Social Considerations: Lessons for a Sensitive Landscape
Papua is not just geographically unique—it is environmentally delicate and culturally rich. Any major energy project must carefully balance ecological preservation and community engagement. Cirata, though located in West Java’s developed corridor, offered valuable lessons. Operators explained how floating solar reduces evaporation, minimizes land conversion, and uses modular components that can be removed or expanded with minimal disruption. Such features could appeal to Papuan communities protective of forests and traditional lands.
The involvement of journalists also allowed discussions about improving public discourse. Many Papuan villages have mixed feelings about large infrastructure projects, often because past developments ignored local voices. Renewable energy, if presented transparently and inclusively, could bring new opportunities without the social conflicts seen in extractive industries. PLN hopes that by empowering journalists to tell accurate, contextual stories about renewable technologies, communities will feel better informed and more confident participating in the planning process.
Challenges Ahead: Turning Inspiration into Implementation
Despite the optimism generated during the visit, PLN Papua acknowledges the challenges. Floating solar installations require stable water surfaces, strong mooring systems, and regulatory clarity regarding water use. Hydropower—even small-scale—involves environmental assessments, land access negotiations, and engineering complexities. Financing is another major hurdle; Papua will need blended funding models, public–private partnerships, and strong national support. Grid readiness is also a concern. Unlike Java, Papua’s energy system remains fragmented, meaning each renewable installation must be designed to support localized grids or independent microgrids. However, these challenges do not diminish the value of Cirata as a model. Instead, they highlight the importance of adapting technology with local wisdom rather than merely importing it.
Conclusion
The journey from Papua to Cirata was more than a study excursion. It was a symbolic crossing—from a region long dependent on diesel generators to a future shaped by renewable innovation. Cirata’s hydropower might not be directly replicable in Papua at the same scale, and its floating solar system may require modifications. But the underlying message is clear: Papua can accelerate its energy transformation by learning from successful projects across the archipelago.
The visit brought new understanding, strengthened partnerships between media and PLN, and opened pathways for future collaboration. Most importantly, it reaffirmed that renewable energy—clean, reliable, and locally grounded—can redefine Papua’s development trajectory. As Indonesia pursues its national energy transition, Papua stands poised to become not only a beneficiary but also a pioneer. What began as a quiet visit to a dam and a solar farm might one day be remembered as a turning point in how eastern Indonesia powers its future.