Sunseap, BP Batam Partner to Build 2.2 GWp Floating PV in Indonesia

Singapore-based solar developer Sunseap Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Badan Pengusahaan Batam (BP Batam) for the building of a floating photovoltaic system (FPV) and energy storage system (ESS) on a reservoir in Indonesia’s Batam Island for an estimated cost of US$2 billion.

Under the MoU, Sunseap will develop a FPV and ESS on Duriangkang Reservoir in the south of Batam Island. The FPV is projected to have a capacity of 2.2 GWp and span around 1600 hectares, making it the largest FPV in the world to-date, says Sunseap in its official statement, adding that the ESS is also slated to be the world’s largest ESS with a storage capacity of larger than 4000 MWhr.

Duriangkang Reservoir is reportedly the largest reservoir in Batam and was originally a saltwater bay. With a volume of 101.2 million m3, the Duriangkang Reservoir supports more than 50% of fresh water supply to Batam Island. The floating solar panels will likely be beneficial towards reducing evaporation, thereby retaining more water within the reservoir. Simultaneously, the water will also keep the solar panel cool, allowing the panel to generate more clean energy, creating a synergistic relationship.

Sunseap expects the solar farm to generate more than 2,600 GWh of electricity per annum, potentially offsetting more than 1.8 million metric tons of carbon per year. This is equivalent to taking more than 400,000 cars off the road each year.

The company is also planning to setup a Sunseap Academy in Batam, which will see to the hiring and skills sets transfer to more than 3000 locals who will be involved in building the world largest FPV and ESS.

Frank Phuan, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sunseap, said: “We are honoured to be given the opportunity to partner BP Batam in helping to promote sustainable development in the region, and to bring affordable and stable clean energy to Batam and beyond.

“This hyperscale project is a significant milestone for Sunseap coming soon after we had completed Singapore’s first offshore floating solar farm along the Straits of Johor. We believe that floating solar systems will go a long way to address the land constraints that urbanised parts of Southeast Asia face in tapping renewable energy.”

Mr Phuan also expressed his gratitude to the sage advice of many Indonesian government officials, including Bapak Airlangga Hartato, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Bapak Luhut Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, as well as Bapak Muhammad Rudi, Chairman BP Batam and Major of City of Batam.

Sunseap said the energy generated and stored will supply non-intermittent solar energy 24/7. A portion of the green energy will be consumed within Batam while the balance can potentially be exported to Singapore approximately 50km away via a subsea cable.

Muhammad Rudi, Chairman of BP Batam, said: “This investment by Sunseap will be a timely boost for Batam’s industries as they seek to reduce the carbon footprint of their operations. At the same time, it will create jobs and transfer skills to Batam’s clean energy sector.”

The project will be financed through a mixture of bank borrowings and internal resources. Construction is slated to begin in 2022 and plan to be completed in 2024.