State energy company PT Pertamina, through its subsidiary Pertamina New and Renewable Energy (NRE), has partnered with State plantation company PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) III to develop a 3-megawatt (MW) solar power plant (PLTS) in the Sei Mangkei Special Economic Zone (SEZ), North Sumatra. 

The project is being carried out under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) scheme and is part of the national push for renewable energy development.

The agreement was signed in Jakarta on Monday, July 7, 2025, by Pertamina NRE President Director John Anis and PTPN III Business Director Ryanto Wisnuardhy, witnessed by senior executives from both state-owned enterprises.

Pertamina Vice President Oki Muraza said that the collaboration reflects the synergy between state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in accelerating the development of green energy technologies.

“This partnership could be expanded into other sectors such as biodiesel, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and bioethanol, to further strengthen Indonesia’s renewable energy ecosystem,” he said.

John Anis added that the 3 MW solar plant is expected to reduce emissions by up to 4,100 tons of CO₂e per year, totaling around 102,500 tons of CO₂e over the 25-year cooperation period. The clean energy will support industries operating in the Sei Mangkei SEZ and contribute to the implementation of the national electricity development plan (RUPTL).

Pertamina NRE is also exploring energy innovations using plantation crops, aimed at expanding the clean energy ecosystem while delivering local economic benefits and enhancing national energy sovereignty.

In addition to the solar project, Pertamina NRE and PTPN III are also developing a 2.4 MW biogas power plant (PLTBg) in the same zone, utilizing palm oil mill effluent (POME) as its feedstock. This facility is expected to generate up to 66,000 tons of carbon credits.

Ryanto Wisnuardhy emphasized that solar energy is a naturally replenishable and sustainable resource, offering efficient development in both technical and cost aspects.

“Together with Pertamina NRE, we will continue to optimize the use of renewable energy (RE) sources in Indonesia,” he said.

This initiative builds on the success of a 2 MW solar power plant launched in the same area back in 2021. Pertamina NRE sees this ongoing project as an ideal model of collaboration between the energy and plantation sectors. In addition to enhancing local energy resilience, the project is expected to attract global investors seeking green industrial zones.

The initiative supports the government’s goals to maximize national renewable energy potential and bolster investor interest in key industrial areas like Sei Mangkei SEZ.