MOU signed for world's largest 2.2 GW floating solar and energy storage system in Indonesia

Sunseap Group and Badan Pengusahaan Batam (BP Batam) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the building of a floating photovoltaic system (FPV) and energy storage system (ESS) on a reservoir in Indonesia's Batam Island. The project is estimated to be around US$2 billion.

Under the MOU, Sunseap will develop an 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. The ESS is also slated to be the largest ESS with a storage capacity of larger than 4000 MWhr.

Duriangkang Reservoir is the largest reservoir in Batam and was originally a saltwater bay with a volume of 101.2 million m3. The floating solar panels will be beneficial to reducing the 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.

A portion of the green energy generated will be consumed within Batam while the balance can potentially be exported to Singapore approximately 50km away via a subsea cable. The construction work of the project is slated to begin in 2022 and plan to be completed in 2024.