Aquatera is Empowering Innovation for Indonesia's Energy Transition

August 25th 2025

Aquatera and the Human Resource Development Centre for Electricity, New and Renewable Energy, and Energy Conservation (PPSDM-KEBTKE) of the Indonesian Ministry of Energy have recently co-delivered a workshop module on Business Model Innovation for the Indonesian utility company (PLN) as part of an ongoing project led by the Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership.

 

 

This module provides training and knowledge-sharing for Indonesia's largest state-owned electricity in support of their transition to clean energy. The project aims to create a skilled workforce, from technical staff to decision-makers, to lead the country's clean energy shift.

Hosted at PLN’s Corporate University (PUSDIKLAT), the four-day hybrid workshop brought together around 70 leading PLN professionals to co-create business ideas aligned with the new five-year Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL). 

 

Three key thematic areas were identified to guide the discussions, in line with PLN's priorities:

  • Coal Conversion - a strategy to reduce emissions while maintaining energy security.
  • Smart Islands - innovative renewable and digital energy systems designed to address the unique challenges of Indonesia’s diverse geography.
  • Cross-cutting Themes in Energy Transition - enabling frameworks, financing mechanisms, and human capital development to accelerate and sustain the transition.

 

Participants were grouped to maximise diversity and collaboration, blending shared passions, complementary expertise, and inclusive representation across gender, educational background, and age.

The first two days of the workshop focused on understanding future energy markets and end-user needs, as well as mapping the challenge and opportunity landscape. This was then followed by two days centred on developing business concepts through ideation and co-creation, supported by interactive tools and engaging facilitation.

 

 

Following the workshop, our team had the privilege of meeting with PLN’s Director of Legal and Human Capital Management, Yusuf Didi Setiarto, to share programme updates to date and discuss future milestones. As a highlight of the week’s activities, Director Didi presented the PLN pin to the Aquatera and PPSDM-KEBTKE consortium team, warmly welcoming us as part of PLN’s energy transition team.

Project Lead and Aquatera Director, Dr Leuserina Garniati, commented:
“Together, we’re building capacity, sparking innovation, and supporting Indonesia’s journey towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.”

 

Aquatera CEO and programme contributor, Dr Gareth Davies, added:
“It is a great honour to be able to work with PLN at this critical stage in stimulating accelerated carbon transition. The exchange of knowledge, experience, and imagination taking place between all programme participants is exciting, enlightening, and empowering.” 

 

The workshop marks the midway point in a year-long knowledge exchange programme, which includes over 100 online lectures, two face-to-face workshop weeks, and a business planning exercise for around 10 candidate energy transition projects.