State electricity company PT PLN has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting low-emission public transportation and energy efficiency in Indonesia through a partnership with state-owned railway operator, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) to electrify railway lines across the country.

The collaboration was formalized with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo and KAI President Director Bobby Rasyidin, witnessed by Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi, at the Jakarta Railway Center, on Monday, October 20, 2025.

Under the MoU, PLN and KAI will form a joint task force to conduct technical, financial, and operational studies, including mapping priority railway electrification routes across Indonesia.

Transportation Minister Dudy Purwagandhi praised the initiative as being in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita vision, particularly its focus on strengthening national energy security and developing low-carbon public transportation systems.

“This initiative directly supports President Prabowo’s Asta Cita. In the future, trains will no longer rely on diesel or fossil fuels, significantly reducing our dependence on imported fuel ‒ especially in the railway sector,” Dudy said.

He added that railway electrification would not only promote low-carbon mass transport but also help improve national efficiency through reduced fossil fuel imports. Dudy expressed hope that the MoU would soon lead to concrete projects expanding railway electrification nationwide.

“I highly appreciate PLN and KAI’s initiative in providing clean public transportation services,” he said.

KAI President Director Bobby Rasyidin described the cooperation as a major milestone in Indonesia’s railway history, noting that this is the first electrification project conducted without state budget (APBN) funding.

“This is a breakthrough ‒ for the first time, railway electrification is being implemented through a business-to-business scheme between KAI and PLN, without government financing,” Bobby cited.

He said the partnership would allow KAI to expand its electric railway network and improve service quality for passengers.

“Our quick-win program with PLN includes electrifying several key routes such as Padalarang–Cicalengka (approximately 40 kilometers), the Rangkasbitung area, routes toward Cikampek, and Central Java, where we plan to enhance existing electrified lines,” he said.

Meanwhile, PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo emphasized that as the backbone of Indonesia’s electricity infrastructure, PLN is ready to support the government in strengthening green public transportation systems, aligned with the nation’s Net Zero Emissions target.

“PLN is committed to supporting the government’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions in the transportation sector. Through this collaboration, trains will become the public transport of the future—more efficient and environmentally friendly,” Darmawan said.

He added that railway electrification offers strategic benefits in energy efficiency and national self-reliance.

“By converting locomotives to electric power, operational efficiency increases by over 70 percent, greenhouse gas emissions drop significantly, and Indonesia can shift from expensive imported energy to affordable domestic electricity ‒ fully in line with President Prabowo’s Asta Cita vision,” he concluded.