Observer Says Geothermal Is Not The Government's Top Priority In Energy Transition

Energy observer Komaidi Notonegoro. (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Energy observer Komaidi Notonegoro assessed that geothermal is not yet the government's top priority in implementing energy transition policies.

Komaidi said, in the 2021 to 2030 Electric Power Supply Business Plan (RUPTL), the target of adding new and renewable energy (EBET) plants until 2030 is 20.9 GW. About 66 percent of the additional capacity targets come from hydropower plants and PLTS of 9.2 GW and 4.6 GW, respectively.

"Meanwhile, the capacity of geothermal power plants is planned to only increase by around 3.4 GW or 16 percent of the total additional EBET power plants," said Komaidi, Thursday, June 13.

He continued, relatively the same as the 2021 to 2030 RUPTL, the target of utilizing geothermal in the National Energy Policy (KEN) also does not appear to be a top priority.

"The addition of EBET power generation capacity in the KEN document is focused on bioenergy plants, hydropower plants and solar power plants," continued Komaidi.

As of 2050, the generating capacity of the three is targeted at 26 GW, 38 GW, and 45 GW, respectively. Meanwhile, in the same period, the capacity of the geothermal power plant is targeted at 17.5 GW.

In fact, he said, the entrepreneurship and utilization of geothermal has the potential to provide positive benefits to Indonesia's macro-monic condition.

Assuming the average price of crude oil is 100 US dollars per barrel, the conversion of all PLTD in Indonesia using geothermal energy (PLTP) can save foreign exchange of oil and gas imports of around 6.07 billion US dollars annually.

"This savings will provide positive benefits to the condition of the trade balance and increase the rupiah exchange rate," he added.

Komaidi said that utilizing geothermal for domestic energy sources could help realize national economic resilience.

The source of geothermal energy is free from the risk of rising primary energy prices, as happens in fossil energy in general.

"Because it is relatively free from the risk of rising prices, utilizing geothermal energy can help maintain national economic stability and growth," concluded Komaidi.