Jakarta – PT Pertamina (Persero) and PT PLN (Persero) have established a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of geothermal energy through 19 power projects with a total capacity of 530 megawatts (MW), with an investment value reaching USD 5.4 billion.
This agreement was marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Jakarta on Tuesday, 5 August, between Pertamina and PLN’s subsidiaries, namely PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk (PGE) and PLN Indonesia Power (PLN IP).
Pertamina’s President Director, Simon Aloysius Mantiri, emphasised that this cooperation is not just a project, but a big mission to encourage the national energy mix based on new and renewable energy (NRE).
“Indonesia has the second largest geothermal potential in the world, 24 GW, but the installed capacity is only around 2.5 GW. This is a great opportunity. Through this synergy with PLN, we are ready to double the utilisation of geothermal as the backbone of national clean energy,” said Simon.
Simon said that this collaboration was designed with the principle of optimising each party’s geothermal working area (WKP) and accelerating projects based on mature technical and commercial studies. “Through the consortium of PGE and PLN IP, we are targeting the realisation of 1 GW of capacity in the next 2 to 3 years as part of a rapid strategy,” he said.
Primary focus: Ulubelu and Lahendong
Concrete commitment was shown through the signing of Heads of Agreements and Consortium Agreements between PGE and PLN IP for bottoming unit projects in two areas, namely Ulubelu (30 MW) and Lahendong (15 MW).
Both projects are categorised as Independent Power Producer (IPP) cogeneration projects, which aim to maximise residual heat from existing plants into additional energy.
On the same occasion, CEO of Danantara Indonesia, Rosan Roeslani, said that the inter-SOE cooperation in this geothermal project is a tangible manifestation of national strategic energy governance.
“This is not just a matter of energy projects, but also an effort to build national energy independence with a sustainable and professional approach. Danantara Indonesia fully supports this initiative as part of a low-carbon economy,” said Rosan.
He added that the scope of cooperation includes collaboration schemes, WKP utilisation, feasibility studies, and the establishment of a joint working team that will oversee the project to completion. The maximum potential of this collaboration is projected to reach 1,130 MW, and it will accelerate the achievement of the NRE mix target and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. (Hartatik)
Banner photo: Lahendong Geothermal Power Plant Units 5 and 6 in Tompaso, Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi. Source: Hartatik
