JBIC Holds Workshop on Electricity Grid Development and HVDC Transmission in Indonesia | JBIC Japan Bank for International Cooperation

On April 16, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), together with Japanese companies, held a workshop with PT PLN (Persero) (PLN), the national electricity company of Indonesia, on electricity grid development and the introduction of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission.

This workshop formed part of the cooperation under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)^*1 renewed between JBIC and PLN in January 2026. The workshop aimed to accelerate the development of future projects by sharing the technologies and expertise of Japanese companies in the introduction of HVDC transmission, taking into account electricity grid development plans and smart grid and inter-island interconnection initiatives, based on the Electricity Supply Business Plan 2025–2034 (RUPTL) released by the Indonesian government.

The workshop brought together approximately 60 participants, including representatives from JBIC, PLN, four Japanese companies, as well as Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. Presentations by JBIC, PLN, and the Japanese companies facilitated active discussions and exchanges of views.

In particular, HVDC, a key topic of the workshop, is a field where Japanese companies have strong technological capabilities and competitiveness. The workshop is expected to accelerate collaboration between PLN and Japanese companies in the clean energy sector. This will contribute to achieving carbon neutrality targets and strengthening critical power infrastructure in Indonesia, under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Japan and Indonesia.

In January 2022, the government of Japan proposed the concept of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), a framework to support and cooperate with Asian countries in their efforts to simultaneously achieve energy security, economic growth, and decarbonization, by leveraging the strengths of Japanese companies, such as their technologies and expertise. Furthermore, in April 2026, in response to disruptions in the supply of energy and resources via the Strait of Hormuz, the government of Japan launched the Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience Asia (POWERR Asia). Taking this opportunity, it also announced its intention to further develop AZEC by incorporating perspectives on enhancing economic and energy resilience. Indonesia is an important partner country for AZEC, and this workshop is also in line with the policy of the Japanese government.

As Japan's policy-based financial institution, JBIC will continue to provide financial support to create business opportunities and promote business for Japanese companies in a variety of sectors, including clean energy in Indonesia.

Photo of the workshop 2 — In his opening remarks, SEKINE Hiroki, Global Head of Infrastructure and Environment Finance Group at JBIC, introduced the POWERR Asia announced by the government of Japan. He also expressed his expectations for the development of concrete projects through continued collaboration with PLN and Japanese companies amid the increasingly challenging international environment, including heightened tensions in the Middle East and the growing importance of energy security.

Photo of the workshop 3 — In her closing remarks, SAKUMA Kazuko, Resident Managing Officer and Regional Head for Asia and Pacific at JBIC, stated that JBIC will continue to work closely with PLN to support the realization of transmission network development plans in Indonesia.

Photo of the workshop 4 — Sinthya Roesly, Chief Financial Officer of PLN, in her opening remarks, expressed expectations for support from Japanese companies for the Java–Sumatra interconnection project, noting that the project is now at a stage for full-scale implementation to strengthen the power system and advance the energy transition.

Photo of the workshop 5 — Edwin Nugraha Putra, Director of Transmission and System Planning at PLN, explained that the introduction of HVDC is urgently needed in the development of transmission networks in Indonesia, given the requirements for long-distance transmission, large capacity, and inter-island interconnection.

Note

*1
JBIC renewed an MOU with PLN on January 30, 2026. See Press Release on February 2, 2026.