Taking Advantage Of The EBT Potential, PLN Develops The Flores Ulumbu PLTP

Illustration of Power Plants (Photo: Doc. Antara)

PT PLN (Persero) will develop the Ulumbu Geothermal Power Plant (PLTP) in Poco Leok, Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

The PLTP is projected to be able to meet the increase in electricity demand in NTT and increase the national clean energy supply.

General Manager of PLN Nusa Tenggara Development Main Unit (UIP Nusra) Abdul Nahwan said that currently the need for electrical energy in NTT is experiencing rapid growth so that additional electricity supply, especially from EBT plants, is needed.

"Utilization of the Ulumbu PLTP geothermal potential is in line with the road map for accelerating the increase in the national EBT mix in order to achieve NZE by 2060. The development of the Ulumbu 5 and 6 PLTP has a total capacity of 40 megawatts," Nahwan explained to the media quoted on Friday, May 19.

He added that currently the development of the Ulumbu PLTP expansion has entered the survey stage and land acquisition.

Previously, PLN had also operated the Ulumbu 1-4 PLTP unit with a total capacity of 10 MW.

Nahwan explained that the presence of PLTP is very important because it is sustainable, which can produce sustainable energy so that it is available for a long period of time. This energy is also reliable, which is not dependent on weather conditions.

"Unlike PLTS and PLTB, this PLTP is not intermittent, so it will be more reliable for the electricity system. Another advantage of geothermal energy is direct use or can be used directly to end users. Then it can create jobs, no pollution and environmentally friendly," explained Nahwan.

The development of the EBT potential also received support from the Governor of NTT Viktor Bungtilu Laiskodat. According to him, the potential for new and renewable energy (EBT) owned by NTT can be the capital for carrying out the energy transition. Therefore, his party provides full support to PLN in developing environmental power plants in order to maximize this great potential.

He also said that currently, NTT Province is still one of the poorest in Indonesia. According to him, NTT is poor not because it does not have wealth, but because its wealth has not been utilized.

"With PLN's support, this province will be one of the richest in Indonesia in the next 15'20 years. Because if renewable energy becomes a guide for energy for the future, then NTT is one of the barns for EBT," explained Viktor.

Viktor said one of the potential EBTs that can be developed for power plants is geothermal in Urumbu. His party has discussed the development of the Ulumbu PLTP directly with the President Director of PLN, Darmawan Prasodjo, during the ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo.

He considered that geothermal development projects need to be encouraged as an alternative to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions.

"I ask the public to support the seriousness of the government through PLN in processing geothermal potential on Flores Island, including the development of the Ulumbu PLTP. I hope all components are involved to help so that this program runs smoothly," he said.

Furthermore, Viktor said the availability of clean electricity would open up the potential for economic development of the entire NTT community. Including the tourism sector which has great potential to become a world destination such as Labuan Bajo.

"People don't want to enter hotels if their electrical energy comes from fossil energy. The development of the Ulumbu PLTP is part of our efforts to fix all of this," concluded Viktor.