SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

PowerChina completes Southeast Asia’s largest floating solar power plant in Indonesia

PowerChina has completed the Cirata floating photovoltaic power plant, a pioneering project in Indonesia that now supplies a quarter of the country's renewable energy production.

Share:

Subscribe for unlimited access to all energy sector news.

Over 150 multisector articles and analyses every week.

Your 1st year at 99 $*

then 199 $/year

SUBSCRIBE — 99 $ for the 1st year

Create a free account to read this article

*renews at 199$/year, cancel anytime before renewal.

Chinese company Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina) has completed the Cirata floating photovoltaic power plant in Indonesia, marking the commissioning of the largest facility of its kind in Southeast Asia. With a capacity of 192 megawatts, the project is located on the Cirata Reservoir in West Java Province and has been feeding the national grid since November 2023.

A result of a joint venture between Indonesian state-owned utility Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) and Emirati firm Masdar, the infrastructure is Indonesia’s first large-scale floating photovoltaic (FPV) project. The facility generates 300,000 megawatt-hours per year, equivalent to the electricity consumption of 50,000 households. It accounts for 25% of Indonesia’s current renewable energy output.

Technical design adapted to local conditions

Site development required technical innovations to accommodate the reservoir’s geographical and climatic specificities. Faced with irregular underwater terrain, PowerChina designed an anchoring system combining metal shear keys and concrete counterweights. Wind tunnel tests and digital simulations helped optimise the layout of the panels and the structure’s stability under high wind conditions.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo praised the commissioning of the facility, highlighting its role in the national strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Cirata plant is expected to save 117,000 tonnes of coal annually and significantly reduce emissions associated with electricity generation.

Industrial cooperation and regional expansion

This project underscores the growing importance of multinational partnerships in the development of energy infrastructure across Southeast Asia. PowerChina, which continues to expand its activities in the region, operates within an industrial cooperation framework combining specialised engineering and international financing to meet the energy objectives of partner countries.

The technical success of the Cirata site may pave the way for similar initiatives in Indonesia and other island markets constrained by limited land availability for ground-based solar installations.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
The United States Sanctions Greek Shipper for Iranian Oil Trafficking
Metacon confirms partial delivery and receives EUR 14.9 million
Soluna crosses one gigawatt milestone with two new data centres in Texas
California launches public tender for hydrogen transportation services
Canadian Utilities secures AUC approval for Yellowhead gas pipeline project
African solar panel imports surge 60% in one year
Solar panel imports into Africa reached 15,032 MW in one year, setting a record and marking an expansion beyond South Africa, according to the energy research organisation Ember.
Ferrovial invests $355mn in 250 MW solar plant in Texas
Ferrovial will launch a 250 MW solar plant in Texas for $355mn, expanding its US energy portfolio and creating around 300 jobs during the construction phase.
Philippines connect their first 4.99 MW floating solar power plant
The 4.99 MW floating solar power plant in Cebu supplies the Carmen Copper mining site, covering about 10% of its energy needs, with connection to the national grid now effective.
Axian and Sika invest €45 million in four solar power plants in Benin
Four photovoltaic plants totaling 50 MW will be built in Benin by Axian Energy and Sika Capital to strengthen the share of renewables in the country’s energy mix.
Qair secures USD 5.7 million financing for floating solar plant in Seychelles
Developer Qair secures a loan from the Facility for Energy Inclusion to build a 5.8 MWp floating photovoltaic solar plant in Providence Lagoon, the first utility-scale project of its kind in Seychelles.
Shikun & Binui commissions a 71 MW solar power plant in Romania
Israeli group Shikun & Binui begins commercial operation of its first photovoltaic park in Romania, a 71 MW facility located in Satu Mare County.
Canadian Solar posts record margin despite quarterly net loss
Canadian Solar reported a gross margin of 29.8% in Q2 2025, exceeding expectations despite a net loss, amid delayed project sales and asset impairments.
OSW raises USD 5.5 million to support its global solar market expansion
Australian distributor OSW secures strategic funding to accelerate U.S. growth and deploy its digital solar project management platform.
Solar will dominate more than half of the new power capacity planned in the United States in 2025
According to the Energy Information Administration, solar will represent the leading source of new U.S. power capacity this year.
Onyx and Corvias Complete 13 MW Solar Project at Fort Polk Military Site
Two 13 MW solar facilities have been completed at the Fort Polk military site in Louisiana by Onyx Renewables and Corvias as part of a partnership to secure the site’s long-term energy supply.
Photon Energy Group posts 7.5% growth despite declining EBITDA
Photon Energy Group reports quarterly revenue growth driven by solar technology trading, while profitability falls due to a weaker capacity market.
RWE secures two solar projects in North Rhine-Westphalia through a federal tender
Two photovoltaic projects led by RWE were selected in a federal tender, with commissioning scheduled by the end of 2026, subject to permits.
Eskom Opens Access to 291 MW of Solar Power for Large South African Consumers
The public utility Eskom launches a tender to sell long-term solar electricity via PPAs, directly targeting industrial players amid continued pressure on national energy security.
Scatec reports a 51% increase in revenue in the second quarter of 2025
The Norwegian group Scatec strengthens its position in emerging markets with a marked increase in revenue and its portfolio of projects under construction.
Masdar completes financing for the 2 GW Al Sadawi solar project in Saudi Arabia
The consortium led by Masdar has secured approximately $1.1 billion in financing to build one of the world’s largest solar power plants in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
The EBRD grants USD 150 million to Enerjisa to strengthen the Turkish power grid
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is financing the modernization of Enerjisa Enerji’s electricity distribution network in the Toroslar region, affected by the 2023 earthquakes.
Vikram Solar secures a 250 MW order from Bondada Group in India
Vikram Solar will supply 250 MW of high-efficiency solar modules to the Bondada Group for a project in Maharashtra, with deployment scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2025–2026.
Meta partners with Central and Silicon Ranch for a 100 MW solar park
Meta secures its energy supply in South Carolina with a 100-megawatt solar project led by Silicon Ranch and Central Electric Power Cooperative. The site will support the group's future data center in Graniteville.
SolAmerica Secures $100 Million from Deutsche Bank for Solar Projects
SolAmerica Energy secures a $100 million revolving credit facility with Deutsche Bank to support its distributed solar assets in the United States.
$700M Deal Between Diamond and Third Pillar for 500MW Floating Solar in Texas
Diamond Infrastructure Solutions grants Third Pillar Solar exclusive access to its Texas reservoirs to evaluate the potential for 500 MW of floating solar as part of a $700 million investment.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.

or

Go unlimited with our annual offer: $99 for the 1styear year, then $ 199/year.

SUBSCRIBE - €99