PLN Invites Asian Startups to Lead Regional Energy Transformation

PT PLN (Persero), Indonesia’s electricity provider, is seeking partnerships with startups across Asia to promote innovation in sustainable energy through its Connext Powered by PLN initiative. The program is part of PLN’s efforts to evolve into a dynamic and innovative energy company, focused on reaching net-zero emissions and playing a significant role in the Asia-Pacific startup ecosystem to accelerate regional energy transformation.

By partnering with Asian startups, PLN intends to accelerate its efforts to enhance sustainability in energy solutions. The program also aims to expand its footprint in the energy sector while driving innovation and building a stronger, more resilient energy future for the region.

In October 2024, PLN representatives traveled to Japan to kickstart their regional energy transformation initiative. Japan was selected for its Startup Development Five-Year Plan, which aims to establish 100 unicorns, 100,000 startups, and attract JPY 10 trillion in investments by 2027. 

The initiative helps Japan become the largest startup hub in Asia. Japan’s energy sector, which has seen over 108,000 patents filed in areas such as hydrogen, e-mobility, energy storage, and solar energy, made it a prime location for PLN’s efforts.

During the visit, the PLN delegation explored several startup offices focused on renewable technologies, hydrogen and ammonia power generation, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors. These Asian startups can potentially play a role in Indonesia’s clean energy transition and PLN’s digital transformation. In addition to these visits, PLN representatives held one-on-one meetings with selected startups at the Google Campus to discuss pilot projects and proof-of-concept initiatives that could be implemented in Indonesia.

A key outcome of this visit was signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Creww, Japan’s leading open innovation platform. This partnership marks PLN’s first international collaboration under the Connext Powered by PLN program. Through this partnership, PLN gains access to Creww’s extensive network, which includes 8,000 startups and 450 accelerator programs, for future collaborations with innovative companies across the Asia-Pacific region.

PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo emphasized that it is a crucial step in strengthening an ecosystem of innovation and collaboration. He highlighted that such partnerships would create new opportunities for green energy startups, drive economic growth, create jobs, reduce poverty, and contribute to environmental preservation. 

Introduced in 2023, the Connext Powered by PLN initiative aims to unite energy startups in Indonesia and the broader region to drive advancements in renewable energy. Having achieved notable progress, PLN now plans to broaden the program’s scope to strengthen collaboration among startups and foster further innovation.