PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The West Java Provincial Government through the West Java Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Service this year built Rooftop Solar Power Plants (PLTS) in seven SMA/SMK.

The rooftop PLTS was virtually inaugurated by the Acting Governor of West Java, Bey Machmudin, at the 2024 West Java Energy Forum (WJEF) at the Pulman Hotel, Bandung City, Thursday (11/21/2024).

Bey said that the benefits of the Rooftop PLTS which is now operating in seven schools have begun to be felt, such as increasingly economical electricity costs and can be used as learning material for students, especially those majoring in technology or electricity.

"The benefits are very good, besides this is also an example of green energy development in West Java. Hopefully there will be many CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) companies that come in to help," he said.

He added that the renewable energy potential in West Java is very large, reaching 152 Gigawatts, but has not yet been optimally utilized.

WJEF is expected to open information to potential investors and banking institutions to finance green energy development in West Java.

"One of them is the Legok Nangka PLTS which has a capacity of 40 MW," said Bey.

Head of the West Java ESDM Service, Ai Saadiyah Dwidaningsih, said that the rooftop PLTS in seven schools was funded by the West Java Regional Budget of around IDR 5 billion.

"This is a stimulant or example, in the future the financing scheme will be expanded," he said.

One of them is through bank financing or donations, such as currently the British Embassy in Indonesia has conducted a pre-feasibility study (pre FS) on 172 schools for the construction of Rooftop PLTS in West Java.

Deputy Head of Bank Indonesia West Java, Muslimin Anwar, added that BI continues to encourage banks to finance green energy development projects, including in West Java.

However, he admitted that green energy financing is still small because it is classified as high risk. However, with various programs and incentives, it is hoped that green energy financing will increase.

"The challenge is how we explain to investors and banks. That is the importance of this WJEF so that the solution is known, as well as the potential of which regions can be executed immediately," he explained.

At least, Musimin said, there is concern from the energy community, investors and banking to jointly increase green energy development in West Java.

In addition to inaugurating the Rooftop PLTS, WJES 2024 also launched School Energy Ambassadors and seminars.