PT PLN (Persero) has taken a bold step forward in accelerating Indonesia’s energy transition by fostering strategic partnerships with green technology startups. On Wednesday, May 21, PLN hosted the PLN Startup Day 2025, under the theme Powering Partnership: Uniting Forces for Sustainable Energy, at its headquarters in Jakarta. This initiative reflects PLN’s deep commitment to innovation, sustainability, and national energy transformation.
During the event, PLN brought together key stakeholders from government, academia, and the startup ecosystem to advance Indonesia’s journey toward a sustainable and inclusive digital future. The company aims to play a transformative role in harnessing the potential of green innovation to achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2060.
Government Endorsement for PLN’s Initiative
The Indonesian Director General of Digital Infrastructure at the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, Wayan Toni Supriyanto, commended PLN’s strategic approach. He acknowledged that the collaboration between state-owned enterprises and the innovation sector demonstrates a practical and results-driven method for addressing Indonesia’s energy challenges.
“PLN plays a strategic role in realizing the government’s vision of an inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem. By integrating digital innovation into energy solutions through initiatives like PLN Connext and Startup Day, PLN proves that public-private partnerships can lead to real impact,” Wayan stated.
Creating a Launchpad for Sustainable Innovation
PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo stressed the importance of PLN Startup Day as more than an annual gathering. He positioned the event as a long-term strategic platform for co-creating solutions with innovators to address energy sector challenges.
“Indonesia cannot achieve its energy transition goals without innovation,” Darmawan declared. “Startups—especially those focused on greentech—bring the creativity, agility, and technological solutions necessary to drive this transformation. Their role is crucial in helping Indonesia meet its Net Zero Emissions target by 2060.”
This year’s PLN Startup Day marks a significant achievement, with 63 energy startups engaged in various capacities. Of these, 20 startups participated in the incubation program, 20 signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) through the PLN Connext platform, and 16 initiated concrete collaborations with PLN across several strategic programs.
Building a Structured Energy Startup Ecosystem
Hartanto Wibowo, Director of Corporate Planning and Business Development at PLN, elaborated on PLN’s comprehensive approach to building a sustainable startup ecosystem. He outlined two core strategies: collaboration with mature startups for immediate integration into the national energy grid, and incubation of early-stage startups to ensure long-term innovation and growth.
“Since 2023, we’ve been nurturing a tangible, structured ecosystem through PLN Connext. Startups bring fresh perspectives and disruptive solutions to the table, and we recognize their value as catalysts for change,” Hartanto explained.
PLN offers early-stage startups mentorship, training, and business development support. This ecosystem allows startups to scale their innovations and align them with PLN’s strategic goals, promoting mutual growth and sustainability.
Strategic Collaborations Strengthen National Synergy
During the event, PLN formalized two important collaborations with government ministries:
- Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs – This partnership aims to strengthen the digital ecosystem by supporting the adoption of startup-developed products and services.
- Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology – This agreement focuses on deepening research and development efforts in the electricity sector.
These partnerships signal a commitment to long-term innovation and institutional synergy. By connecting startups with public policy support and academic expertise, PLN ensures that innovation not only emerges but also scales with structure and purpose.
Key Technology Startups Join Forces with PLN
In line with its green technology goals, PLN has secured strategic partnerships across various technology verticals, including IoT, AI, carbon capture, and electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. Each collaboration targets specific areas of the energy value chain to maximize efficiency and sustainability.
Some highlighted collaborations include:
- PLN Icon Plus joined forces with Magnar and Soca.AI to implement IoT and AI-based solutions in smart energy systems.
- PLN Enjiniring partnered with TechnoGIS to deploy AI in infrastructure engineering and optimization.
- PLN Nusadaya collaborated with Algatek to integrate carbon capture technologies, supporting emission reduction targets.
- PLN Electricity Services teamed up with Starvo to manage and expand the operations of electric vehicle charging stations (SPKLU).
- PLN Haleyora Powerindo partnered with Charged to enhance electric vehicle fleet management, aiming to build a robust EV ecosystem.
These collaborations reflect PLN’s strategy to harness diverse, cutting-edge technologies and apply them across operational and infrastructure layers to accelerate decarbonization.
Empowering Startups to Go Global
Beyond partnerships, PLN has set a bold vision for the future. By supporting the growth of Indonesian energy startups, PLN aims to position them on the global stage. The company envisions a future where these homegrown innovators evolve into unicorns—startups valued at over USD 1 billion—on par with the world’s leading energy innovators.
“We want to see Indonesian startups become global players,” Hartanto emphasized. “By giving them access to a real market, technical guidance, and policy support, we are laying the foundation for sustainable entrepreneurship in the energy sector.”
Conclusion
PT PLN (Persero) has proven that impactful change starts with collaboration. Through PLN Startup Day 2025, the company has brought together the best of innovation, government support, and strategic industry thinking to build a cleaner, smarter energy future.
By directly engaging with 63 energy-focused startups and securing tangible partnerships with 16 of them, PLN showcases its belief in startups as essential drivers of transformation. Through its structured ecosystem, the company nurtures early-stage ideas and scales proven solutions to tackle the challenges of energy transition, electrification, and digital integration.
PLN’s vision aligns not only with national objectives but also with global sustainability goals. With firm steps, clear strategy, and strong partnerships, PLN reinforces its role as a leader in Indonesia’s energy transition—powered not only by electricity, but by innovation and unity.