batampos – PT McDermott Indonesia has officially inaugurated two major industrial facilities—the Cakrawala Building and Nusantara Building—at its Batam Fabrication Yard (BFY), reinforcing Batam's growing role in the global green energy supply chain.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Indonesia's Minister of National Development Planning (PPN)/Head of Bappenas, Rachmat Pambudy; Riau Islands Governor Ansar Ahmad; BP Batam Deputy for Investment Fary Djemy Francis; Batam Regional Secretary Firmansyah; and representatives from European energy companies.
The two facilities will support the fabrication of High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) converter platforms for TenneT's offshore wind energy projects in Germany. Once completed, the massive offshore structures—each weighing more than 30,000 tons—will transmit renewable electricity generated in the North Sea to millions of households across Germany.
The investment marks a significant milestone in Batam's industrial transformation, shifting its reputation from a traditional oil and gas fabrication center toward becoming a strategic hub for clean energy infrastructure.
Batam Selected for Its World-Class Fabrication Capabilities
Jason Williams, Vice President of HVDC at McDermott, said Batam was selected because it is the company's largest and most experienced fabrication yard worldwide.
"McDermott operates six fabrication yards globally, and Batam is our largest and most experienced facility for executing large-scale offshore projects," he said.
According to Williams, the Cakrawala Building serves as the primary fabrication facility where large structural blocks weighing between 1,000 and 3,000 tons are assembled. The Nusantara Building is dedicated to blasting and painting operations using advanced environmental control systems that improve quality while protecting steel structures from corrosion.
The facilities are currently supporting two of TenneT's flagship 2-gigawatt offshore transmission projects—BalWin4 and LanWin1—which together are expected to require approximately 22 million work hours.
Williams also highlighted that construction of both facilities involved 100 percent Indonesian contractors and local workers, demonstrating the capability of Indonesia's industrial workforce to deliver world-class energy infrastructure.
Thousands of Local Jobs Created
Robert Shaul, Senior Vice President of Low Carbon Solutions at McDermott, said worker safety has remained the company's top priority throughout construction.
The project recorded 4.5 million work hours without a lost-time incident, an achievement he described as significant considering the complexity and scale of the facilities.
Covering approximately 15,700 square meters, the Cakrawala Building provides space for heavy fabrication and large-scale assembly operations. The Nusantara Building spans 8,005 square meters and features state-of-the-art blasting and painting systems designed to improve efficiency, product quality, and environmental performance.
During construction, the project employed nearly 4,000 Indonesian workers, with peak employment reaching around 2,000 workers. Beyond direct employment, the investment has generated economic benefits for Batam by supporting the hospitality, transportation, and service sectors.
Supporting Europe's Renewable Energy Future
Daniel Birkenstock, Project Director for Offshore 2GW Projects at TenneT, said Batam was chosen because only a limited number of fabrication yards worldwide possess the capability to build offshore converter platforms of this size.
Each platform measures approximately 190 meters long, 115 meters wide, and 70 meters high, making it one of the largest offshore energy structures currently under construction.
BalWin4 is scheduled for completion between late 2029 and early 2030, while LanWin1 is expected to follow roughly one year later.
TenneT operates one of Europe's largest electricity transmission networks, connecting offshore wind farms with national power grids to support the continent's transition toward renewable energy.
Government Welcomes Strategic Investment
Minister Rachmat Pambudy described the project as evidence that Indonesia—particularly Batam and the Riau Islands—has become part of the global green energy supply chain.
He said the government is committed to developing green jobs and strengthening workforce capabilities to support future high-technology industries.
Governor Ansar Ahmad added that the project has created substantial employment opportunities while demonstrating the growing competitiveness of Indonesia's skilled workforce.
He noted that many engineering, design, and technical positions are now filled by Indonesian professionals, reflecting the success of vocational education and industrial training programs.
According to the governor, Batam continues to strengthen its position as Indonesia's leading industrial hub, supported by its strategic location along the Malacca Strait and investor-friendly licensing services through BP Batam.
The McDermott investment represents another major step in positioning Batam as a global center for clean energy infrastructure, while reinforcing Indonesia's role in supporting the worldwide transition toward renewable energy. (*)
Editor : M Tahang