In a major step toward supporting Indonesia’s energy transition goals, PT HDF Energy Indonesia, a subsidiary of HDF Energy, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Transportation (MoT), state-owned electric utility PT PLN (Persero), and ferry operator PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero). The agreement outlines a collaborative study aimed at decarbonizing Indonesia’s maritime sector through the use of locally produced green hydrogen. The study will be co-funded by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
The MoU was signed during the Global Hydrogen Ecosystem Summit on April 15, 2025, in Indonesia, with H.E. Fabien Penone, Ambassador of France to Indonesia, Timor Leste, and ASEAN, witnessing the event.
The focus of the study will be on Eastern Indonesia, which is abundant in solar energy resources and serves as a key region for ASDP’s ferry routes. HDF Energy is currently developing 23 Renewstable® hydrogen power plants in the area. These facilities integrate solar parks with on-site energy storage in the form of green hydrogen, providing continuous, stable, and clean electricity for the grid, day and night.
By producing surplus green hydrogen at a competitive marginal cost, Renewstable® plants aim to decarbonize maritime transport by supplying hydrogen to power high-power fuel cells developed by HDF Energy in France. These fuel cells are designed to convert maritime fleets to zero-emission solutions.
ASDP, which operates one of the world’s largest ferry networks, will play a critical role in the project by exploring opportunities to convert its fleet and port infrastructure. The goal is to replace traditional diesel engines with green hydrogen-based propulsion systems, significantly reducing emissions.
PT PLN has already begun hydrogen pilot projects across Indonesia and signed an MoU with HDF Energy to accelerate the deployment of Renewstable® hydrogen power plants as a cleaner alternative to diesel-based power, with potential investments of up to USD 2.3 billion.
In addition, HDF Energy signed a separate MoU with PT Pelayaran Bahtera Adhiguna (PT BAg), a national shipping company, to assess hydrogen as a clean alternative for powering auxiliary systems on large vessels.
Mathieu Geze, Director for APAC at HDF Energy and President Director of PT HDF Energy Indonesia, expressed pride in the collaboration. “We aim to position Indonesia as a leader in green hydrogen innovation in the Asia-Pacific. Our fuel cells represent a significant step toward decarbonizing maritime transport in Indonesia and showcase French innovation on the global stage,” he stated.
H.E. Fabien Penone also highlighted the strong partnership between France and Indonesia in energy. “This agreement reflects the deepening of our economic relations, a priority agreed upon by the Presidents of both countries, and will be a key focus during President Macron’s upcoming state visit to Indonesia,” he said.
Jose Matheickal, Director at the IMO, praised the partnership, noting, “This initiative demonstrates how national leadership and multi-stakeholder collaboration can pave the way for a zero-emission maritime future.”
This collaboration in Indonesia is part of HDF Energy’s broader development drive in Southeast Asia. On April 11, 2025, HDF Energy signed an MoU with the Department of Transportation in the Philippines to explore green hydrogen solutions for maritime vessels. The following day, HDF entered into a partnership with ACST in Vietnam to advance hydrogen technologies, including retrofitting diesel ferries with HDF’s hydrogen fuel cells.
