There are 91 locomotives owned by the state-owned Indonesian Railway Company (PT Kereta Api Indonesia), all of them are for in Sumatra and replace the aging EMD G26.

In 2011, PT Kereta Api Indonesia began to look for the replacements of G26MC-2U; more powerful and advanced locomotives than G26MC-2Us.

After several auction processes, EMD won the contract to build more powerful locomotives with AC traction technology for PT.

But, due to the most recent regulation of the Ministry of Transportation, then the numbering system is changed according to its arrival year.

Thanks to the AC Traction technology, the locomotives can generate output more than 2,200 HP (bigger than its predecessor, CC202) and starting tractive effort of as much as 450 kN.

In their daily operations, two CC205s are coupled together using Multiple Unit for easier haul, especially on steep grades.

In the flat section of Kertapati - Prabumulih line, single CC205 has been tested to pull 58 flatcars with modified container.

When the 2025 and 2026 batch of CC205 will arrive in Indonesia, some of them will be based on Kertapati Depot (Palembang) to haul private coal trains.

All of the CC205s have a distinctive Perumka/PT Kereta Api's 1990s-style red-and-blue livery, similar to the CC201s and CC202s allocated at South Sumatran railway.

On February 15, 2024, PT KAI has signed a contract with Progress Rail for 54 additional GT38ACe locomotives.