Supporting Southeast Asia’s Clean Energy Transition

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“At Masdar, we are invested in the clean energy future of communities around the whole world. I’m proud to work for a company that makes impactful contributions toward climate action. At the end of the day, climate change affects every single one of us and a borderless crisis requires collective action.”
-Eng. Fatima Al Suwaidi, Senior Analyst – Development & Investment

Focus on Asia

According to the International Renewable Energy Association (IRENA), the Asia-Pacific region accounts for more than half of global energy consumption, with 85 percent coming from fossil fuels. However, there is a reason to be optimistic about the region’s progress in renewable energy. In IRENA’s Renewable Capacity Statistics Report for 2020, renewables expanded by 7.6 percent globally in 2019, with Asia dominating growth and accounting for 54 percent of total additions. More specifically, 98 GW of solar was added globally in 2019, 60 percent of which was in Asia.

Indonesia’s clean energy transition ambition

Indonesia has set out to achieve 23 percent renewable energy by 2025. As the largest energy user in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, innovative solutions are critical to the country achieving its renewable targets and supporting sustainable growth.


The world’s largest archipelago country, Indonesia has abundant solar resources, but limited available land, which makes investments in floating solar systems a viable consideration for countries seeking to pursue and adopt a clean energy strategy.

Floating solar is known to have a number of advantages beyond reducing land usage, including higher solar panel efficiency and productivity due to its close proximity to the water surface that helps cool the panel.

At the beginning of 2020, Masdar announced the signing of a power purchase agreement with Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), the state electricity company in Indonesia, for the first floating solar plant in the country.

At 145 megawatts (ac), the Cirata Floating Photovoltaic Power Plant will be the country’s largest solar plant when it becomes fully operational, and the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia.
The project, which will be located on a 250-hectare plot on the 6,200-hectare Cirata reservoir, will power 50,000 homes, offset 214,000 tons of CO2 emissions, and contribute to the creation of up to 800 jobs during its construction and operational periods.
Indonesia is currently considering plans to install floating PV plants on 60 additional reservoirs, taking advantage of its more than 600 lakes and reservoirs, while helping preserve precious land resources.

UAE-Indonesia Partnership

“The Cirata project is yet another testament on the strong relationship between the UAE and Indonesia, with Indonesia being one of the first nations to recognize the UAE’s union and establishment in 1971. This project amplifies the existing bonds between the two countries, as we work for a sustainable future.”
-  Ahmed Al Awadi, Director – Business Development & Investment