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Geothermal drilling program big hope for Jailol project, Indonesia

Geothermal drilling program big hope for Jailol project, Indonesia Halmahera Tengah, Maluku Utara, Indonesia (source: flickr/ Achmad Rabin Taim)
Alexander Richter 29 Mar 2021

The government geothermal drilling program is a big hope for the development ambitions for a 40-60 MW geothermal project in Jailol, West Halmahera, Indonesia.

The West Halmahera Regency Government has stated its support for the government drilling program for the development of a Geothermal Power Plant (PLTP) in Jailol which is estimated to have the equivalent potential of 40-60 MW.

James Uang, West Halmahera Regent, hopes that the government drilling program   that will be carried out by PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero) and PT Geo Dipa Energi (Persero) can be realized soon. This development has the potential to have a positive impact on development in West Halmahera.

“This project has been awaited a long time by the people of West Halmahera. With the electrical conditions that often experience blackouts, this is a solution, ”said James, recently.

According to him, the government drilling program   will have a double effect in addition to overcoming the problem of blackout for the public as well as attracting private parties.

So far, said James, the private sector has often questioned the electricity network in their area. “If Geo Dipa has explored and is functioning, surely many investors will enter West Halmahera, because the electricity problem has a solution,” said James.

Harris, Director of Heat at the Directorate General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (Ditjen EBTKE) of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, said that the geothermal development plan in Jailolo must also consider the  demand for  electricity produced. Demand creation   can be done by managing existing ones, or creating new ones.

Harris added, the existence of PLTP in Jailolo can also reduce the use of Diesel Power Plants (PLTD). The use of PLTD costs up to Rp3,900 per KWh (around USD 0.27/ kWh), or maybe more in certain places.

“If geothermal enters at a price that is not up to Rp3,900 with high reliability, surely there will prefer PLTP,” said Harris.

Harris emphasized that PLTP is more stable when compared to the reliability of power plants that come from other renewable energies. According to him, the reliability level of PLTP can reach 95% each year, while PLTS is only around 22%, PLT Bayu is 35-40%, and hydro is around 65%. “So it is not close to 100% like geothermal,” he said.

The government drilling program   is one of the efforts made by the government to reduce the risk of geothermal exploitation, especially at the exploration stage. The program has been assigned by the government to PT SMI as the financing manager, Geo Dipa as the technical drilling implementer, and PT Penjaminan Infrastruktur Indonesia (Persero / PII) as the guarantee support.

Mohammad Ghozie Idra Dalel, Director of Project Development and Consulting Services for PT SMI, said that the government drilling program   is a form of cooperation and synergy between the Special Mission Vehicle (SMV) under the guidance of the Ministry of Finance to support geothermal activities. Where in the program, the government takes the biggest risk in the geothermal sector, namely exploration.

Riki Firmandha Ibrahim, President Director of Geo Dipa, said that Geo Dipa, as an extension of the government, is ready to make the program a success in order to provide electrical energy sourced from clean energy that is environmentally friendly and sustainable. “We are ready to support government programs, not only in Halmahera,” said Riki.

Source: Olinesia