Do you still remember the event from the inauguration of the Cirata Floating Solar Power Plant with a capacity of 192 MWp in November 2023? Not only was history made at that time because Indonesia successfully built a large-scale new renewable energy (NRE) power plant, but there was also another pride from the National Strategic Project (PSN) resulting from the collaboration between Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which involved PLN Nusantara Power sub holding with Masdar. The reason is that there were products created by the nation's children used in the project.
ABB Indonesia is a manufacturing company that provides voltage distribution solutions to ensure the power generation at the Cirata Floating Solar Power Plant. 'We provide medium voltage air-insulated switchgear (AIS) with Relion protection relays to ensure reliable and safe delivery of renewable energy, minimal maintenance, and scalability to meet future needs,' explained Gerard Chan, President Director and Country Holding Officer of ABB Indonesia, when interviewed by Listrik Indonesia at his office.
ABB Indonesia itself has been actively involved in strengthening the electricity and energy sector in Indonesia. This includes efforts to improve the operational efficiency and sustainability of the country's electrical infrastructure. When the government set a plan to build 100 GW of new power plants in the next 15 years, which was considered too ambitious, Gerard saw it as something reasonable. For him, ambition is necessary to achieve energy transition targets.
According to Gerard, Indonesia is taking a more serious approach to its energy transition program by targeting an additional 75 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2040. ABB supports this initiative because it aligns with our commitment to sustainable energy solutions,' said Gerard.
ABB Indonesia, said Gerard, has a strong infrastructure footprint to meet the demand for reliable electricity supply. “We have established two manufacturing facilities in Indonesia, namely for low and medium-voltage switchgear and miniature circuit breakers (MCB). Our manufacturing facilities are located in Cibitung and Tangerang,” he said.
Competitive Advantages Responding to the competitiveness of local products, Gerard is quite optimistic that electrical products made in Indonesia can compete. ABB Indonesia itself has several advantages that make its products competitive. Among them are innovation and advanced technology, which ABB Indonesia uses to provide energy-efficient solutions. Additionally, ABB Indonesia focuses on sustainability. "Our focus is on reducing carbon footprints and improving energy efficiency in industrial and manufacturing projects," he added.
In addition, ABB Indonesia has a strong local presence. This is demonstrated by its local presence in manufacturing facilities, workshops, and service centers throughout Indonesia. Equally important, ABB Indonesia has established strategic partnerships with major industry players such as PT PLN (Persero), SKF Industrial Indonesia, and MASKEEI to promote industrial automation and energy efficiency.
This partnership helps ABB Indonesia remain competitive in the market," said Gerard. He also mentioned that this advantage is due to the experienced leadership of ABB Indonesia, which emphasizes accountability, innovation, and sustainability. With the changing geopolitical landscape, Gerard sees the importance of exporting local products abroad to support foreign market needs.
He cited that Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Vietnam have strong market potential for ABB Indonesia. Additionally, the market for U.S. companies operating outside the U.S. also presents a significant opportunity for exports.
"There is a trend of increasing large U.S. customers choosing non-China-made switchgear for their applications in the region. This will open doors for us as a potential alternative supplier," emphasized Gerard. In the current competition for electrical equipment, Gerard hopes that this competition will continue to maintain and enhance ABB Indonesia's market leadership through innovation, product quality, and sustainability.
"ABB Indonesia will continue to invest in research and development to bring cutting-edge technology to the market. This includes smart grid solutions, energy-efficient products, and automation technology," he explained.
