Bengkulu Is Ready To Supply Electricity Energy 110 Megawatts To Sumatra Only Constrained By Presidential Decree Number 16/2018

Bengkulu Governor Rohidin Mersyah and PGE have a meeting to discuss the continued construction of geothermal power plants in Bengkulu. (ANTARA/HO-Media Center Bengkulu Province)

BENGKULU - Bengkulu Governor Rohidin Mersyah said his province is ready to supply Sumatra's 110 Megawatt electrical energy from geothermal sources (earth heat). "Gothermal potential in the Hulu Lais Lebong area is in a ready position with a capacity of 110 MW. Currently, it is only a matter of building a generator and network by PT PLN," said Governor Rohidin Mersyah in Bengkulu, quoted from Antara, Friday, May 12. It's just that, continued Rohidin, currently there are still a few obstacles related to the government's policy clause that power plants and networks must use domestic products at a minimum of 25 percent (Perpres No. 16 of 2018). "Meanwhile, in the beginning a contract with the Japanese state was carried out and ready to use products from any country," said Rohidin. That way, the Bengkulu Provincial Government will write a special letter to the Ministry of Industry and Trade regarding this obstacle. This is because the contract commitment has been running from 4-5 years ago while the new regulations are in effect in 2023. "If you look at the provisions, the obstacles can get a dispensation policy and there is also one PGE project in other provinces that can apply. We hope that if this can be resolved by 2024 then it can operate and will have an impact on the Bengkulu economy and nationally can contribute to creating energy resilience," he said. The Bengkulu Provincial Government took quick steps to write to the Ministry of Industry and Trade to overcome obstacles related to the construction of power plants to channel the potential geothermal Hulu Lais, Lebong Regency. Meanwhile, Pertamina Geothermal Energi (PGE) Operations Director of PT Pertamina Eko Agung Bramantyo said 110 Megawatts (MW) were ready, only to be channeled to the generators to be managed by PT PLN. "Indeed, the schedule is slightly delayed, because the readiness of existing generators is related to auctions and loans," he said.

Eko said that in other places, Bengkulu Province neighbors such as the Muara Enim area of South Sumatra were already operating.