PT PLN (Persero) has marked a significant milestone by signing ten Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with six prominent startups as part of its "Connext Powered by PLN" program. The collaboration aims to foster innovation and build a sustainable, eco-friendly energy business ecosystem in Indonesia. The MoUs, signed at PLN's headquarters in Jakarta, reflect the company's commitment to driving the transformation of Indonesia's energy sector through partnerships with emerging startups.

The six startups that joined the first phase of the program in 2024 are Daya Green, Smartcool, Technogis, BETA-UAS, HIGO, and Maka Motors. These startups were selected for their potential to bring innovative solutions and technology to the energy sector, aligning with PLN's goal of creating a greener energy future.

Darmawan Prasodjo, PLN's CEO, emphasized the importance of collaborating with energy-focused startups to support PLN’s transformation into a more innovative and adaptive energy company. "We want PLN to be the central hub for the growth of energy startups in Indonesia," Darmawan said. He further stated that these partnerships aim not only to benefit PLN but also to provide new business opportunities, markets, and growth prospects for all involved parties.

The Connext Powered by PLN program, launched in 2023, serves as a platform to accelerate energy innovation, specifically targeting the development of green energy technologies. Darmawan noted that energy startups have immense potential to become the backbone of Indonesia's energy ecosystem in the future, and as a state-owned enterprise (BUMN), PLN is keen to collaborate on various business developments with these startups.

Hartanto Wibowo, PLN's Director of Corporate Planning and Business Development, explained that the collaboration with these startups will open up new business opportunities and create a positive impact on the energy ecosystem. "We hope to see concrete projects materialize by the first quarter of 2025 as a result of these MoUs," Hartanto said. He highlighted that the initiative is not just about collaboration but about building a long-term journey to ensure a sustainable energy future for Indonesia.

One of the key goals of the program is to stimulate innovation in the electricity and green energy sectors. By leveraging the capabilities of the startups, PLN aims to explore new business models and commercial opportunities. Hartanto stressed the importance of exploring additional business potentials and continuing the collaboration with the startups until commercialization stages are reached.

The collaboration will involve various phases, starting with testing integration and identifying potential strategic partnerships. This will pave the way for the development of new technologies and services that go beyond traditional electricity generation and contribute to enhancing PLN's leadership in Indonesia's energy ecosystem.

The ten MoUs signed cover a range of projects aimed at advancing electric mobility, smart energy solutions, and energy storage systems. Some notable collaborations include:

1. Starvo and PLN Icon Plus: Joint Study on Providing electric vehicle charging stations (SPKLU).
2. Smartcool and PLN Icon Plus: Collaboration on smart air conditioner services.
3. Dayagreen and PLN Icon Plus: Joint study for EV charging infrastructure.
4. HIGO and PLN Icon Plus: Study on Wi-Fi advertising and energy solutions.
5. Starvo and PLN Haleyora Power: Partnership on e-mobility services and energy storage systems.
6. BETA-UAS and PLN Haleyora Power: Inspection and management services for transmission and distribution.
7. Maka Motors and PLN Haleyora Power: EV2W fast-charging solutions and internal development.
8. TechnoGIS and PLN Haleyora Power: Asset monitoring using data analytics, AI, and drones.
9. TechnoGIS and PLN Engineering: Technology development for sedimentation monitoring in dredging services.

These collaborations are designed to leverage new technologies, enhance operational efficiency, and promote the use of renewable energy in Indonesia. Through these partnerships, PLN is fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem that will play a critical role in the country’s transition to sustainable energy.

SUARA.COM