Jakarta, October 21, 2025 – The Indonesia Smart Grid Association (PJCI) successfully held the DECAGRID International Symposium 2025 at the 3rd Floor Auditorium, The Headquarters of PT PLN (Persero). With the theme “Empowering Smart Grids with Mission-Critical Networks,” this event presented cross-country and cross-sector collaboration to accelerate the transformation towards a smart, resilient, and sustainable Indonesian energy system.

DECAGRID International Symposium 2025: Driving the Transformation Towards a Smart Energy National

Photo 1: The main atmosphere of the DECAGRID International Symposium 2025 at the PLN Auditorium, featuring a stage with an official backdrop.

Through the DECAGRID International Symposium 2025, PJCI once again demonstrated its role as a key catalyst for energy transformation in Indonesia. By combining the power of digital technology, global innovation, and a cross-sector collaborative spirit, this symposium is an important stepping stone towards a smart, green, and globally competitive national energy system.

Uniting Steps for Future Energy

Energy transformation is no longer just talk. Over the past decade, Indonesia has accelerated the adoption of renewable energy, the digitalization of its electricity system, and the development of a Smart Grid. However, behind this progress there are still major challenges: limited funding, national energy security, and the need for inter-island integration.

Based on these challenges, PJCI initiated the DECAGRID International Symposium 2025 as a forum for reflection on the 10-year journey of Smart Grid Indonesia as well as a strategic dialogue space to develop a roadmap towards 2035. This Symposium is part of the Digital Energy Collaboration and Acceleration for Grid Innovation and Development (DECAGRID) initiative which focuses on accelerating the adoption of AI, IoT, and digital power systems in support of the Net Zero Emission 2060 vision.

Opening Ceremony: A Symbol of Shared Commitment

The festive opened with traditional Indonesian dance, followed by the national anthem “Indonesia Raya” and a prayer together. An enthusiastic welcome came from national figures:

Bambang Patijaya, Chairman of Commission VII of the Indonesian House of Representatives
Darmawan Prasodjo, President Director of PT PLN (Persero)
Jisman P. Hutajulu, The Expert staff of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) for strategic planning of Republic Indonesia
Dr. Ir. Suroso Isnandar, The Executive Chairman PJCI

As a symbol of the start of the symposium and 10 years (a decade) of PJCI support the Smart Grid Development), a Crystal Placing Ceremony was held by representatives of institutions and strategic partners. This moment illustrates the real commitment of all parties to buildingb a smart and globally competitive energy future.

Photo 2: Opening traditional dance and Crystal Placing Ceremony procession as a symbol of the start of the symposium.

Inspirational Messages from Guest Speakers

Three key nation energy figures also provided their strategic insights in the opening remarks session. They emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration in accelerating the tranformation towards smart, green, and resilient national energy.

Dr. Ir. Suroso Isnandar, The Executive Chairman PJCI, opened the session by emphasizing that DECAGRID international Symposium 2025 is not just a forum, but a milestone in the history of Smart Grid Indonesia’s decade-long journey.

“we’re not just talking about tcchnology, but about how human innovation and collaboration can transform the energy future of this country,” he said.

Photo 3: Dr. Ir. Suroso Isnandar delivered his opening remarks on behalf on PJCI.

Bambang Patijaya, The Chairman of Commission VII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, affirming legislative support for strengthening energy energy policies and digitalization of the national electricity system. He highlighted that cross-sectoral collaboration is key to ensuring an effective and inclusive energy transition.

“The energy transition cannot occur without synergy between policy, investment, and technology. This is the momentum to unite our efforts toward energy independence.” he stressed.

Photo 4: Bambang Patijaya delivers a speech on energy policy synergy on the main stage.

Darmawan Prasodjo, President Director of PT PLN (Persero), closing the welcoming session wih a presentation on the direction of PLN’s transformation towards a digital-based energy company. He emphasized the importance of implementing AI, IoT, and digital systems as the main foundation for achieving the targets of Net Zero Emission 2060.

“Smart energy is not just a vision, but a shared commitment that must be realized through real action,” he said.

Photo 5: Darmawan Prasodjo, President Director of PT PLN (Persero), giving a speech about the direction of PLN’s digital transformation.

Synergy and New Hope

Towards the close, a Business Network Session in the VIP room brought together industry leaders, investors, and energy innovators to explore long-term collaboration opportunities.

In this session, many new understandings were established, which are expected to give birth to concrete collaborations in the future.

Photo 6: The atmosphere of the Business Network Session and interactions between industry leaders.

The Chief of the Symposium Decagrid, Dr. Dhani H. Barus, closed the event with a message full of optimism.

“This collaboration is not just a forum, but a first step towards concrete action on the ground to realize Indonesia’s smart energy.”

Photo 7: Dr. Dhany H. Barus giving closing speech as the Chief of Symposium Decarid PJCI 2025.

The most anticipated part of the symposium is the Grid talk Series, a strategic forum that brings together policymakers, academic, industry players, and global partners.

Summary of Grid Talk 1 – “Outlook & Roadmap: Opportunity, Challenge, and, Investment for Smart Grid”

Photo 8: The atmosphere of Grid Talk Series 1 with speakers from ministries and international institutions.

Experts from government, industry, and the private sector gathered to discuss opportunities, challenges, and investment directions in developing Indonesia’s Smart Grid for the next decade. Keynote Speaker Muhadi, ST, MT (Coordinator of Transmission, Distribution, and Isolated System Planning, DJK ESDM) opened the session with a presentation on strategies to strengthen the national electricity system to be more efficient and integrated. The discussion also presented several speakers, namely Elisabeth Tinschert (Energy Program Director, GIZ Indonesia), Rio Kaswiyanto (Project Finance Specialist, IET Implementation Joint Office), Eko Yudo Pramono (Executive Vice President of Power System Planning, PT PLN Persero), Rika Safrina (Senior Analyst of Energy Modeling and Policy Planning Department, ACE), Ismail Muttaqin (Technical Sales and Promotion Manager, Siemens), and Prof. Hammam Riza (Chairman of KORIKA).

Summary of Grid Talk 2 – “National Defense of Energy for Smart Grid Island Interconnection”

This session highlighted the importance of energy resilience and security in supporting the interconnection of the Smart Grid system between islands in Indonesia. Abdul Malik Sadat (Deputy for Infrastructure, BAPPENAS) acted as the Keynote Speaker emphasizing the strategic role of infrastructure planning in strengthening the national energy system. This session also featured speakers Norman Ginting (Director of Projects and Operations, Pertamina NRE), Cuk Supriyadi (Head of the Research Organization for Energy and Materials, BRIN), Slamet Aji Pamungkas (Deputy for Cyber and Crypto Security in the Economic Sector, BSSN), Syarbeni (Cyber Security and Privacy Officer, Huawei Tech Investment), and Denny Setiawan (Director of Digital Infrastructure Policy and Strategy, Ministry of Communication and Digital of the Republic of Indonesia) who discussed the synergy between technology, infrastructure, and cybersecurity to realize national energy resilience in the future.

Photo 9: Grid Talk Series 2 panel discussion on energy defense and island interconnection.

Global Support and Collaboration

This event is fully supported by national and international institutions.

We can find some Sponsored by PLN (Persero) • Siemens • Huawei • Schneider Electric • Indonesian Renewable Energy Society (METI) • PT LEN Industri (Persero) and Institution supports from The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) • Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Indonesia • Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia • Ministry of Investment/BKPM • Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kominfo) • National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN) • Bappenas of the Republic of Indonesia • BRIN • Lemhanas of the Republic of Indonesia • ASEAN Center for Energy (ACE) • GIZ Indonesia • Danantara • GEIDCO (China) • KORIKA

Pict 10: A complete line of sponsor and supported institutions logos on the official event backdrop.

The Role of the Organizing Committee in the Symposium’s Success

The success of the DECAGRID International Symposium 2025 cannot be separated from the hard work of the entire committee and the PJCI team who have prepared this event with full dedication.

Starting from concept development, coordination with partner institutions, to technical implementation in the field — everything is done with a collaborative spirit and high professionalism. The organizing committee not only ensured the smooth running of the event, but also served as the face of the collaborative spirit that is the spirit of this symposium: that smart energy transformation begins with cooperation and shared commitment.

Photo 11: The PJCI committee and volunteer team took a group photo after the closing ceremony, marking the end of the DECAGRID International Symposium 2025 with gratitude and pride.