Jakarta, Sept. 2 -- Bali, one of Indonesia's best-known tourist destinations, faces a striking paradox, the island has long depended on diesel-fired power plants for electricity while seeking to strengthen its global image as a sustainable destination rich in natural beauty.

Against that backdrop, the central government chose Bali as the site for the groundbreaking ceremony of a national program to develop solar power plants with a total capacity of 100 gigawatt peak (GWp).

President Prabowo Subianto even set aside time to directly kick off the mega-project at the Java-Bali Sea Crossing Operation Monument in Gilimanuk, Jembrana District, on August 25.

"We will build 100 gigawatts, and we are not playing around," he said at the moment....