ESDM to survey geothermal potential at Mt. Ciremai, West Java

The Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has announced plans to conduct a survey of geothermal potential in the Mount Ciremai area, Kuningan Regency, West Java. The plans by the central government have received support from local governments.

“In principle, the regional government fully supports geothermal exploration which will be carried out by the central government through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in the Mount Ciremai area. Furthermore, it can be used as a large-scale electric power generator,” said the Regional Secretary of Kuningan Regency, Dian Rachmat Yanuar, June 11, 2021.

Therefore, he continued, it is hoped that the team from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources can provide technical clarity regarding the stages of the research. Namely before carrying out a survey related to some important information on geothermal development plans in Kuningan Regency, especially the Mount Ciremai area.

“I hope for support from all stakeholders for this activity. Hopefully in the future the benefits can be felt for the welfare of the community, “he hoped.

During a visit to Kuningan, the Coordinator of Geothermal Services and Business Guidance at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Edi Indiarto, said that “… the utilization of [the geothermal] potential has not been maximized. Whereas geothermal energy can be used to generate electrical energy, and can reduce dependence on fuel oil as a source of electricity.”

He sees geothermal energy being able to help Indonesia in its electricity crisis. The Geothermal Working Area (WKP) for Mount Ciremai is around 38,560 hectares.

“Aside from being a source of electrical energy, other uses of geothermal energy in the Mount Ciremai area are direct (non-electric) utilization such as tourism, agribusiness and livestock,” he added.

He explained, if the characteristics of geothermal are clean energy sources, environmentally friendly, renewable and free from the risk of rising fossil fuel prices. Then it also cannot be exported, does not require a large area of ??land, and does not depend on the weather.

“Basically, geothermal energy is energy that is very environmentally friendly and can coexist with the activities of the surrounding community. Besides that, it can also provide considerable benefits for the community,” he concluded.

Source: Kumparan