WNAM REPORT: National Development Planning (PPN) Minister/National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) Head Rachmat Pambudy officiated the Agrivoltaic project, a collaboration between the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB), Korea Energy Agency, Korea East-West Power, ENVELOPS Korea, and KLES Korea.
This project would integrate new renewable energy technology with the agricultural sector and offer innovative solutions in the Food–Energy–Water (FEW) Nexus synergy.
“This Agrivoltaic project is a breakthrough in answering two challenges, namely the need for clean energy and sustainable agricultural productivity. This technology utilizes agricultural land for solar panel installations to support energy sustainability and food security at the same time,” Pambudy noted in a statement from his office on Monday.
The Bappenas head highlighted that this project will accelerate the adoption of renewable energy while increasing agricultural productivity and the local economy.
President Prabowo Subianto is currently also focusing on water, food, and energy as keys to developing the agricultural sector.
“Therefore, collaboration between low-cost energy technology and agricultural innovation is the key to the future. With affordable energy, we can realize sustainable food solutions,” the minister remarked.
The multidisciplinary synergy for the Agrivoltaic project involving IPB as the research leader, technological support from the Korea Energy Agency, and energy companies, such as Korea East-West Power, allows the creation of adaptive innovations to address local challenges in Indonesia.
Pambudi lauded all parties involved in the Agrivoltaic project and is upbeat that such an initiative can inspire the development of similar projects in the future.
That way, Indonesia is expected to increase national energy and food security, realizing the national priority of food self-sufficiency while concurrently encouraging the transformation towards renewable energy.
“However, innovation is not enough. Innovation must be disseminated massively to bring benefits to the wider community. That way, we can strengthen food security, improve community nutrition, and accelerate the transformation towards modern agro-industry,” the minister said.
