RI to Have Several Co-generation Geothermal Power Plants, Starting Operations in 2027

JAKARTA - The government continues to boost the use of geothermal energy for electricity.

One of the projects being developed is the PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE) Co-Generation Geothermal Power Plant (PLTP) project, namely a capacity optimization project carried out in fields that are already operating commercially.

Just so you know, the business scheme used for this project is a partnership cooperation between PT PGE and PT PLN through PLN Indonesia Power to form a Joint Venture.

"For this geothermal, there is also Co-Generation, added from the existing. There are already targets from 2027-2029 for COD," said Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Arifin Tasrif, Wednesday, August 7.

The potential for the Co-Generation project is in the Geothermal Working Areas (WKP) of Lahendong, Ulubelu, Lumut Balai, Hululais, Kamojang, Sibayak, and Sungai Penuh. These projects are expected to operate in the period 2027 to 2029.

Arifin said, currently the PLTP co-generation project has reached the stage of signing the Joint Development Agreement (JDA) on May 30, 2024.

The main focus of the JDA is the Ulubelu Bottoming Unit PLTP project which is planned to be developed with a capacity of 30 MW and the Lahendong Bottoming Unit PLTP with a development plan of 15 MW. Both projects are targeted to COD in 2027.

In addition, optimization of PLTP is also carried out by prioritizing excess energy from PLTP, namely excess electricity in PLTP that is already operating.

Excess energy from PLTP is prioritized for dispatch into the PLN electricity system.

For PLTP operated by PT PGE, namely PLTP Kamojang, Ulubelu, Karaha, Lahendong, and Lumut Balai, there is an optimization potential of 1,081 GWh.

"This value is obtained from the remaining total net generation capacity of 5,528 GWh minus the distribution capacity to PT PLN of 4,447 GWh," he explained.

Meanwhile, for PLTP PT Geo Dipa Energi, namely PLTP Dieng and Patuha, there is an optimization potential of 134 GWH.

Then for PLTP SMGP and PLTP Sokoria of 365.8 GWh; Star Energy Group (PLTP Salak, PLTP Darajat, and PLTP Wayang Windu) of 494.8 GWh; and PLTP Sarulla operated by Sarulla Operations of 24 GWh.

Then, minimizing curtailment in the North Sulawesi-Gorontalo (SulutGo) system was also carried out to optimize PLTP.

Currently, there are constraints on several geothermal power systems, for example in the SulutGo system.

In this system, there is an imbalance between the provision of electricity in the SulutGo region and the growth in demand, resulting in an over-capacity electricity status.

Arifin also said that currently it is possible to implement alternating shutdowns for fossil power plants, while still considering the efficiency of the difference in generation prices from PLTU and PLTP.

"Therefore, it is necessary to expand the PLN transmission and distribution network to maximize the use of geothermal energy in meeting the captive power of mining and industry in Sulawesi," he concluded.