Papua has long been regarded as Indonesia’s most remote frontier—an expanse of dense rainforests, expansive coastlines, and rugged highlands that seem worlds apart from the industrial centers of Java and Sumatra. Yet today, this vast and diverse region is stepping into a new narrative. Under the broader national vision of President Prabowo Subianto, Papua is increasingly recognized as a strategic engine in Indonesia’s transition toward renewable and sustainable energy. With abundant natural resources, strong solar exposure, powerful river systems, and an emerging policy push to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, Papua holds extraordinary potential to become a national hub of clean energy innovation.
But Papua’s transition is not only about numbers, megawatts, or technical jargon. It is about people, villages, and communities that have long been overshadowed by underdeveloped infrastructure. It is about building a renewable energy ecosystem that does not simply exist on paper but transforms daily life, powers remote districts, and integrates green technology into the region’s long-term economic aspirations. As Indonesia looks eastward for cleaner energy opportunities, Papua finds itself in a rare moment where national priorities align with local needs.
A Region Rich in Untapped Renewable Power
When experts speak about Papua’s renewable energy potential, the figures are staggering. Several national energy studies estimate that the combined renewable energy potential in Papua and Papua Barat reaches over 327 gigawatts (GW). Solar power alone accounts for the lion’s share of this estimate—around 253.3 GW in Papua and 66.9 GW in Papua Barat. The region’s equatorial climate offers consistent sunlight, and thousands of hectares of flat coastal areas, inland valleys, and small islands provide ideal locations for future solar farms.
Hydropower, the second major contributor, offers more than 35 GW of feasible generation capacity when combining both provinces. The rivers that cut through mountainous terrain, especially in Central Papua, are powerful and consistent—an attractive combination for long-term hydropower planning. Meanwhile, Papua’s biomass, bioenergy, geothermal pockets, and modest wind corridors create additional layers of opportunity for future large-scale renewable diversification.
These raw numbers are not just technical projections—they highlight how Papua could play a decisive role in meeting Indonesia’s commitments to expand renewable energy in its national energy mix. With fossil fuel reserves declining and diesel-based power systems becoming increasingly expensive and environmentally damaging, Papua’s natural endowments present a strong, future-oriented alternative.
190 Renewable Energy Plants: A Foundation Already in Motion
Despite geographical challenges, renewable energy is not a distant dream in Papua—it is already taking shape on the ground. Data from PT PLN (Persero) reveals the existence of 190 operational renewable-energy power plants (EBT) dispersed across six Papuan provinces. These facilities include large hydropower stations (PLTA), medium and micro-hydropower systems (PLTM and PLTMH), biomass generators (PLTBm), and numerous solar-power systems (PLTS) integrated into both isolated and interconnected power grids.
In total, Papua has 527.88 megawatts of installed electricity capacity, while peak loads sit at roughly 345.31 megawatts, giving the region a reserve margin of 182.57 megawatts. This buffer is significant—it means Papua can support more electrification, expand service to remote communities, and accommodate new renewable installations without overwhelming the current grid.
But PLN is not stopping there. Within its official 2025–2034 RUPTL roadmap, the utility plans to build 59 new renewable energy generators, including one large hydropower plant, two biomass units, ten medium-sized hydropower facilities, and an ambitious 46 solar-plus-battery (PLTS + BESS) projects. These developments signal a shift toward hybrid and distributed generation systems that are especially well-suited for remote areas where expanding large transmission networks is challenging.
Floating Solar Power: A Vision Inspired by National Success
One of the most exciting innovations on the horizon for Papua is the adoption of floating solar power technology. PLN recently highlighted that Papua’s coastal geography—characterized by lakes, reservoirs, islands, and extensive calm water surfaces—makes it a prime candidate for floating solar power plants (PLTS terapung). The circulation of this idea gained momentum in light of the highly successful Cirata Floating Solar Plant in West Java, which is currently the largest floating solar farm in Southeast Asia with an installed capacity of 192 MWp.
Floating solar has several advantages: it minimizes land use conflicts, reduces evaporation on water surfaces, and increases energy efficiency due to cooling from water. For Papua, this technology could be transformative, especially in island-based communities where land availability is limited. Local water bodies could power entire villages without disturbing terrestrial ecosystems or displacing agricultural activities.
PLN has publicly stated that floating solar development in Papua is not merely an idea—it is an emerging strategic option for scaling renewable generation in the region in the near future.
Electricity for Remote Villages: The Human Dimension of Renewable Energy
While national statistics often focus on megawatts and expansion plans, the core of Papua’s renewable energy story lies in its impact on daily life. Hundreds of thousands of households across Papua live in remote settlements, some accessible only by boat, small aircraft, or days-long trekking routes. Many of these villages have relied on expensive diesel generators or had no access to electricity at all.
Renewable energy—especially micro-hydro and solar mini-grids—has become the most effective solution for electrifying these remote communities. PLN’s rural electrification program targets 123 additional remote villages by 2026, aiming to provide reliable, affordable energy to more than 7,000 new customers. For these communities, renewable energy does far more than light homes: it powers schools, clinics, refrigeration for medicines, communication networks, and small local industries.
It is in these settings that renewable energy becomes a catalyst for development rather than simply a technology deployment. As Papua modernizes through green energy, quality of life improves, economic productivity increases, and local communities gain more control over their own futures.
Challenges That Must Be Overcome
Despite its vast potential, Papua’s renewable energy journey faces a complex set of challenges:
- Extreme Infrastructure Limitations
Many promising hydropower and solar locations are located deep inland or high in mountainous terrain. Roads are limited, and logistics costs are among the highest in Indonesia. Transporting heavy materials for hydropower construction can take weeks, not days.
- High Upfront Investment Costs
Renewable energy infrastructure—especially large hydro—requires significant early-stage capital. Combined with Papua’s remote geography, this creates investor hesitation and pushes financing costs higher.
- Grid and Storage Constraints
Papua’s grid is fragmented, with many isolated systems. Integrating high shares of solar energy requires BESS installations or grid interconnections that do not yet exist at scale.
- Environmental and Social Balancing
Papua’s biodiversity and indigenous land rights must be respected. Renewable projects must balance ecological preservation with community engagement through fair consultations and benefit-sharing.
- Limited Local Technical Workforce
Developing long-term renewable energy operations requires skilled technicians. Building local expertise is essential for sustaining expansion and reducing dependency on outside operators.
The Strategic Role of the Prabowo Administration
Under President Prabowo Subianto, renewable energy development—especially outside Java—has become a key pillar for expanding national energy security, reducing carbon emissions, and decentralizing infrastructure development. Papua is central to this policy vision, not only because of its vast renewable potential but also because it symbolizes Indonesia’s commitment to equitable development across all regions.
Prabowo’s administration has repeatedly emphasized that energy sovereignty must include remote and marginalized regions. Investing in Papua’s renewable energy systems reinforces both environmental and geopolitical priorities by reducing dependency on imported fossil fuels and strengthening national unity through inclusive development.
Conclusion
Papua sits at a pivotal crossroads. With enormous solar, hydro, and bioenergy potential; 190 existing renewable facilities; and a rapidly expanding clean-energy roadmap, the region is on track to become one of Indonesia’s most important contributors to the national renewable energy transition.
Yet Papua’s success will depend on how well Indonesia navigates its logistical, financial, environmental, and governance challenges. If these obstacles are addressed effectively—with strong community involvement, robust policy support, and strategic investment—Papua could transform from an under-electrified region into a regional model for sustainable development.
In many ways, Papua’s renewable energy journey reflects Indonesia’s broader future: a shift toward cleaner power, resilient infrastructure, inclusive growth, and a greener national identity. With each new solar array, hydropower unit, or rural electrification project, Papua is not only lighting homes—it is illuminating Indonesia’s path toward a sustainable and equitable energy future.