Jakarta, May 20 -- The Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Ministry estimated that converting fossil fuel-based power plants, such as gas and diesel, to solar power plants has the potential to reduce electricity generation costs by up to Rp73.9 trillion (US$4.18 billion) per year.

Jisman P. Hutajulu, an expert staff member of the ESDM Minister for strategic planning, explained that this efficiency is obtained by comparing the generation costs of solar power plants combined with battery energy storage systems (BESS) with gas and diesel power plants currently in use, especially in several regions.

"Once the 100-gigawatt solar power plant program is completed, it will replace the very wasteful diesel power plants, both in the eastern part ...