Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Arifin Tasrif, has issued a revised regulation regarding the utilization of rooftop solar power plants.
The policy is outlined in Ministerial Regulation No. 2/2024 concerning Rooftop Solar Power Plants connected to the Electricity Grid of Business Permit Holders for Public Interest (IUPTLU), which was signed by Arifin on January 29, 2024.
Article 7 (1) of the regulation mandates that IUPTLU holders must establish quotas for the development of rooftop solar power systems for each electricity grid system. The development quota must consider the direction of national energy policies, electricity supply business plans (RUPTL), and the reliability of the electricity grid system as per the grid code regulations of IUPTLU holders.
The development quota for rooftop solar power systems is structured for a period of 5 years, detailed for each year from January to December. “Proposals for the development quota of rooftop solar power systems for the years 2024 to 2028 must be submitted no later than 3 months after the issuance of this Ministerial Regulation,” as stipulated in Article 8 paragraph 4, of the ministerial regulation, which was made avaiable on Thursday, February 22, 2024.
Meanwhile, proposals for the development quota of rooftop solar power systems for the following years must be submitted no later than October preceding the current year. Subsequently, the Director-General of Electricity will evaluate the proposed development quota of rooftop solar power systems involving the Director-General of New and Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBTKE) and may involve relevant ministries or institutions.
“Based on the determination of the development quota for rooftop solar power systems as referred to, IUPTLU holders will establish quotas for the development of rooftop solar power systems based on clustering,” Article 9 paragraph 3 stated.
Clustering refers to the electricity grid system at the customer service unit of IUPTLU holders. On the other hand, surplus electricity from rooftop solar power systems entering the IUPTLU holder’s grid network will not be considered in determining the electricity bill amount for rooftop solar power plant customers. “In terms of electricity tariff payments, prospective rooftop solar power plant customers will use a prepaid mechanism,” the regulation states.
Previously, the Director of Various New Renewable Energy at the ESDM, Andriah Feby Misna, stated that the ministry decided to abolish regulations regarding electricity export schemes intended to reduce electricity bills for consumers installing rooftop solar power systems. This maneuver is aimed at managing the financial burden of state-owned electricity companies amid the widespread oversupply of electricity currently.
“The installed capacity will be used for the consumer itself, so it is expected that consumers will install according to their needs. Later it will be adjusted with quotas, PLN will issue the quotas,” Feby said earlier this month.
