Pertamina Geothermal Energy Targets To Improve Clean Energy Capacity

Photo: Doc. Antara

JAKARTA - PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE) is ready to answer the challenges of developing the utilization of the magnitude of geothermal potential in Indonesia.

"In the next 10 years, PGE targets to increase the installed capacity of clean energy sourced from geothermal to more than double that currently operated by PGE," said PGE President Director Ahmad Yuniarto in a written statement, quoted from Antara, Sunday, December 8.

PGE targets to increase the installed capacity directly managed by PGE to 1,272 megawatts (MW) by 2027.

"This means that by 2030, PGE has the potential to be able to contribute to the potential for reducing emissions by 9 million tons of CO2 per year and targets to become the top three geothermal producing companies in the world," said Yuniarto.

PGE noted that until now it manages 13 geothermal working areas (WKP) spread across six areas with a self-operated 672 MW installed capacity.

Meanwhile, 1,205 MWs are managed through joint operation contract (JOC). The capacity of installed geothermal in the PGE working area contributes about 82 percent of the total geothermal installed capacity in Indonesia, with the potential for CO2 "emission approval" of around 9.7 million tons of CO2 per year.

In addition, the use carried out by PGE from geothermal energy has succeeded in making 2,085,000 houses in Indonesia electrified.

In line with the government's steps in accelerating the development of Geothermal Power Plants (PLTP) in Indonesia, PGE is developing facilities and infrastructure to drain hot steam to power plants.

Currently, PGE is carrying out development projects in three WKPs, namely Hululais, Lumut Balai (unit II), and Sungai Penuh.

Previously, based on Wood Mago data in 2021, the installed capacity of geothermal resources in Indonesia reached 2,280 MW. That number is the second largest in the world, where the United States occupies the first position with an installed capacity of geothermal resources reaching 2,690 MW.

Based on Wood Macok projected, Indonesia will dominate the use of geothermal in the world in the next few years. Because in 2026, Indonesia's geothermal installed capacity is predicted to reach 5,240 MW. Even in 2030, the installed capacity of geothermal resources in Indonesia can penetrate 6,210 MW.

In addition, the potential for geothermal utilization in Indonesia is quite even. Based on the report of the State Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL) for the State Electricity Company (PLN) 2021-2030, the potential for geothermal utilization for PLTP has been divided into each island in Indonesia.

Sumatra Island is the area with the largest potential by reaching 9.67 gigawatts (GW), Java Island has the potential of 8.10 GW, Sulawesi has the potential of 3.06 GW. Furthermore, Nusa Tenggara has the potential of 1.36 GW, Maluku has the potential of 1.15 GW, Bali 335 MW, Kalimantan 182 MW, and Papua 75 MW.