French energy group TotalEnergies will build a 1 GW solar energy plant, along with a battery energy storage system (BESS) and a submarine cable, in Indonesia’s Riau province in collaboration with Singapore-based conglomerate RGE.  

The 2 partners signed a co-investment agreement to develop, build and operate the project during a state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. This utility-scale project will be developed in phases.    

Additionally, the duo’s joint venture (JV), Singa Renewables Pte Ltd, has received a conditional license from Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA) to import up to 1 GW of solar energy for 24-hour renewable electricity from Indonesia to Singapore.

It will provide stable, renewable electricity to electricity-intensive customers in Singapore and to the industrial complexes located near the solar site in Riau province. Other details of the project were not revealed. 

“This project will contribute to Singapore’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, while supporting the economic development of Riau Province, Indonesia,” said TotalEnergies President Asia and Executive Committee Member Helle Kristoffersen.   

Riau Islands in Indonesia, due to its proximity to Singapore and the lack of vast land areas for large projects in Singapore, is an attractive destination for several solar energy projects that can supply clean electricity to the latter. Some of the big planned solar projects at Riau include Sunseap’s 3 GW solar and 6,500 MWh of storage facility, Quantum Power Asia and ib vogt’s over 3.5 GW solar and 12 GWh of storage, and Aslan Energy Capital and PT Calypte’s 2 GW Sugi solar energy hub (see 2 GW Solar Energy Generation Hub Unveiled In Indonesia). 

Aslan Energy had been seeking solar power developers for power supply from 1.2 GW solar PV capacity in Riau Islands late last year (see Aslan Energy Capital Seeking Solar Power Suppliers In Indonesia).