Indonesia Launches First Ocean Current Power Plant, Pioneering a New Wave of Marine-Based Energy
By Blue Economy Insights
Indonesia is setting a new benchmark in renewable energy development with the construction of its first ocean current power plant, or PLTAL. With a projected investment of US$220 million (Rp3.57 trillion), this innovative project will generate 40 megawatts (MW) of clean energy from ocean currents, positioning Indonesia as a regional leader in marine-based power solutions.
Included in the country’s 2025 to 2034 Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL), the PLTAL will be built in East Nusa Tenggara at two separate sites, each contributing 20 MW of installed capacity.
“This is one of our efforts to support the energy transition, enhance energy resilience and self-sufficiency, and sustainably utilize Indonesia’s rich marine resources,” stated the Directorate General of New, Renewable Energy, and Energy Conservation (EBTKE) at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) in an official post on June 16, 2025.
Global Collaboration Driving Innovation
The PLTAL project brings together a coalition of domestic and international energy innovators. UK-based SBS Indonesia and NOVA Innovation are partnering with PT Pertamina Power Indonesia, alongside Dutch engineering firm Tidal Bridge. These partners are recognized globally for their work in marine renewable energy and advanced power systems.
The development plan incorporates five key marine energy technologies currently being explored for future scalability:
- Tidal Power: Capturing tidal movements using tidal dams and offshore turbines
- Wave Energy: Harnessing surface wave motion with wave systems and Oscillating Water Column (OWC) devices
- Ocean Current Power: Generating energy from undersea currents using vertical and horizontal axis turbines
- Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC): Utilizing temperature differences between surface and deep ocean waters
- Salinity Gradient Power: Converting energy from the varying salt concentrations where freshwater and seawater meet
Renewable Power at the Core of Indonesia’s Energy Plan
The PLTAL initiative is part of a broader effort to increase national electricity capacity by 69.5 gigawatts (GW) by 2034. According to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, 76 percent of this growth is expected to come from renewable energy and storage systems.
The planned breakdown includes:
Renewable Energy (42.6 GW total):
- Solar: 17.1 GW
- Hydropower: 11.7 GW
- Wind: 7.2 GW
- Geothermal: 5.2 GW
- Bioenergy: 0.9 GW
- Nuclear: 0.5 GW
Energy Storage (10.3 GW total):
- Battery systems: 6 GW
- Pumped hydro: 4.3 GW
Fossil Fuels (16.6 GW total):
- Natural gas: 10.3 GW
- Coal: 6.3 GW
These targets signal a major transition toward cleaner energy sources while still maintaining a strategic mix of generation types to ensure stability and grid reliability.
