Dieng Plateau, Indonesia proposed to be designated as National Geopark
Dieng Plateau Crater, Indonesia (source: AdeRiska, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Carlo Cariaga
11 Sep 2024
Representatives from Gadjah Mada University and PT Geo Dipa Energi have proposed the designation of Dieng Plateau in Indonesia as a National Geopark.
The Faculty of Engineering at the Gadjah Mada University (UGM) and PT Geo Dipa Energi (PT GDE), in collaboration with the Central Java Provincial Government, are proposing that the Dieng Plateau in Central Java, Indonesia be designated as a National Geopark.
As part of the process, a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) activity was held with representatives from the Central Government and Regional Government, as well as tourism industry players, geothermal industry players, academics,
Dieng is the site of the Dieng geothermal power project operated by Geo Dipa, consisting of the 55-MW Unit 1 power plant and the 10-MW small-scale power plant. Plans are also underway for a Unit 2 expansion.
UGM Geological Engineering Lecturer and Geothermal Expert Dr. Pri Utami said that Dieng provides an environment for visitors can learn about hydrothermal processes in a very real way. “I think it is important for geology to transform the legends about geothermal energy in Dieng into scientific explanations. This is a tribute to the ancestors who have packaged the values ??of environmental conservation in Dieng long before geothermal science and technology developed.”
Pri Utami also said that Geological Engineering students from UGM recently conducted a field visit to the Dieng Geothermal Working Area to study the geological conditions of an operating geothermal field. It was an opportunity for the students to see how geothermal resources can be used efficiently, including in applications such as tourism and agriculture.
Yudistian Yunis, President of PT GDE, emphasized that creating an ecosystem needed to facilitate energy independence and environment-friendly economic activities, such as geothermal tourism and agriculture, will require a multi-party collaboration.
Herdian Ardi Febrianto, General Manager of PT GDE, added that the generation of electricity using geothermal energy can be a distinct advantage of the geopark, as it provides a learning tool for environmental conversation using clean and renewable energy. He also emphasized the importance of the human element in the scientific field, despite the presence of artificial intelligence technology, as humans with their consciences still need to weigh and determine actions in line with human values.
Source: Gadjah Mada University
