Hitachi Energy has been a key player in Indonesia’s power infrastructure development for nearly five decades. Predrag Grupkovic, country managing director of Hitachi Energy (Indonesia), shares his insights into the company’s strategic collaborations and contributions to the nation’s energy transition.
Bridges: Hitachi Energy has a long-standing presence in Indonesia. Could you share some key milestones and explain how your collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has shaped your strategy?
Grupkovic: Our journey, which has been lasting for 50 years, includes establishing a high-voltage equipment factory and a global software development center in Bali. We’ve strengthened Indonesia’s grid with key substations, including digital substations for PLN (Perusahaan Listrik Negara) East Java and East Kalimantan. Crucial energy transition projects, like deploying microgrids to enable the supply of renewable energy to the remote islands of Eastern Indonesia, such as Semau and Selayar, and the Nusa Penida, Bali, project for the 2022 G20 Summit, highlight our commitment.
Our journey, which has been lasting for 50 years, includes establishing a high-voltage equipment factory and a global software development center in Bali.
Predrag Grupkovic, Country Managing Director of Hitachi Energy (Indonesia)
We also connected the Rantau Dedap geothermal plant to the grid and supplied gas insulated substations for the Nusantara Capital City project, contributing to its sustainable energy future. Our 2023 letter of intent with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the subsequent MOU (memorandum of understanding) related to the islands’ interconnection study are pivotal. These initiatives address the challenges of Indonesia’s archipelago, aiming to create a “green-enabling super grid” to transmit renewable energy efficiently, supporting Indonesia’s 2060 net-zero goals.
The recent MOU with Pertamina New & Renewable Energy marks a significant step. Can you elaborate on the main objectives and their potential impact?
We have worked with Pertamina for many years and recently implemented a digital load dispatching center in two Pertamina plants. The signing of an MOU with Pertamina NRE, the nation’s largest state-owned energy company, focuses on innovation and technology in energy conservation and electric power systems. The idea is to produce electricity from renewable sources for Pertamina’s consumption and support the PLN grid.
As Indonesia moves toward a sustainable energy future, how is Hitachi Energy leveraging its expertise, and what opportunities do you foresee?
The shift to clean energy sources requires new, cutting-edge technologies with power electronics and digital as the main components. It also requires a large pool of new talent, which the industry must attract to help drive the transition to a low-carbon future. Hitachi Energy is nurturing all of that and will certainly continue to partner with academia to build and shape talent on the path to a net-zero economy.
