The Potential for Electrical Energy in Indonesia's Seas Reaches 60 GW

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Center for Marine Geological Survey and Mapping (BBSPGL) has carried out a series of activities to measure the potential of Indonesian marine energy which can be used for electrical energy at 17 points, with a total potential of reaching 60 gigawatts (GW).

Head of BBSPGL, Hadi Wijaya said, the 17 water points are in the Riau Strait, Sunda Strait, Toyapakeh Strait Nusa Penida, Lombok Strait, Alas Strait, Molo Strait, Larantuka Strait, Boleng Strait, Pantar Strait, Mansuar Strait, Lirung Talaud Strait , Sugi Strait, Riau, Lampa Natuna Strait, Lembeh Strait, Southeast Medan Sinaboi Strait, South Halmahera Patinti Strait, and Alor Strait.

The results of this mapping have also been launched by the Geological Agency in 2022 into the Indonesian Marine Energy Potential Map.

Hadi continued, the BBSPGL team had gone through the first phase of looking for data to support the mapping, by carrying out a Pre-FS (Feasibility Study), one of which was site selection.

"So Pre-FS site selection is to be able to determine where the best location is, so that we can get either current, wave or OTEC energy," he said to the media, Monday, December 18.

Hadi said, from the mapping that had been carried out, it could be said that all of Indonesia's seas contain marine energy potential.

"Western, central, eastern, even southern and northern Indonesia all contain marine energy potential, whether ocean currents, waves or OTEC energy," he continued.

He explained that one of the pillars of BBSPGL is a study in developing marine energy in Indonesia to support Net Zero Emission (NZE) by 2060.

"Indonesia is an archipelagic country surrounded by waters with an ocean area of ​​3,257,357 square kilometers, referring to the results of the International Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 10 December 1982," added Hadi.

With the vast expanse of the ocean, he said, a lot of energy potential is still stored and can be explored so that it can be utilized for community needs, one of which is the potential source of electrical energy from the sea.