ESDM Ministry Claims Indonesia As The World's Largest Geothermal Power Plant

INDUSTRY.co.id - Jakarta - The installed capacity of geothermal power plant (PLTP) until the first quarter of 2018 reached 1,924.5 MW from the target until the end of the year of 2,058.5 MW.

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in an official statement said, with the achievement of 1,924.5 MW placed Indonesia second in the world after the United States in utilizing geothermal power, shifting second position previously occupied by the Philippines.

Indonesia currently has geothermal reserves of 17,506 MW and resources of 11,073 MW. With the utilization of which is still about 11.03% of the existing reserves into a great opportunity for investors to develop geothermal as well as meet national energy needs.

"Up to the first quarter of 2018 or until the end of March 2018 at 1,924.5 MW, we are proud of this achievement that we exceed the Philippines by 1,870 MW which means that we have become the world's number 2 geothermal producer," said Director General of Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBTKE), Rida Mulyana in Jakarta, Friday (4/27/2018).

Rida said the additional installed capacity of PLTP 2018 comes from the operation of PLarah Karaha Unit 1 (30 MW) and PLTP Sarulla Unit 3 (110 MW, COD 2 April 2018: 86 MW).

Meanwhile, it will follow in the second semester of this year PLTP Sorik Marapi Modullar Unit 1 (20 MW) (August 2018), PLTP Sorik Marapi Marapi Modullar Unit 2 (30 MW) (December 2018), PLTP Lumut Balai Unit 1 (55 MW) (December 2018) and PLTP Sokoria Unit 1 (5 MW) (December 2018).

Geothermal potential in Indonesia is among the largest in the world with potential resources of 11,073 MW and reserves of 17,506 MW. Indonesia has abundant geothermal potential with 331 potential points spread from Sabang to Merauke.

After shifting the Philippines position as the second largest geothermal power producer in the world, the Government projects Indonesia to become the world's largest geothermal power producer by 2023, beating America with geothermal power capacity of 3,729.5 MW.

To simplify the use of geothermal energy, the Government continues to provide convenience to geothermal investors through the provision of fiscal and nonfiscal incentives.

In addition, the government has also issued special regulation on geothermal, namely Law no. 21 of 2014 on Geothermal, Government Regulation no. 7 of 2017 on Geothermal for Indirect Use and other technical regulations.

These two regulations change the old mindset that geothermal development can be done in conservation forest areas because it is no longer categorized as a mining business.