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Geothermal energy crucial in electricity supply to industry in Flores, Indonesia

Geothermal energy crucial in electricity supply to industry in Flores, Indonesia Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia (source: flickr/ Gabriel ^(oo)^, creative commons)
Alexander Richter 10 Feb 2019

With ongoing mining operations and further development potential, geothermal energy will have to play a crucial part in securing growing energy demand on Flores Island and the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) region of Indonesia. The potential on Flores is around 776 MW.

The Government encourages the geothermal power generation development on Flores Island in the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) region of Indonesia.

Geothermal energy development in Flores can be integrated with the downstream sector such as the mining industry, smelters, and others, so reported by IndoNews.

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) noted that the largest energy potential available in the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) region is geothermal with a potential of 1,276 MWe. Of this potential, amounting to 776 MWe of which are on the island of Flores.

Of the 12 geothermal prospect areas on Flores Island, only three regions have received Geothermal Working Area management permits (WKP) from the ESDM minister, namely Ulumbu, Mataloko and Sokoria with a total installed capacity of 12.5 MW.

In an official statement, Head of ESDM Research and Development Agency Sutijastoto said that geothermal energy is expected to be able to increase the electrification ratio in eastern Indonesia. Not only that, geothermal development in Flores can also be integrated with the downstream sector such as the mining industry, smelters, fisheries, plantations and tourism so that its potential can be maximized.

However, currently the majority of electricity needs on Flores Island are for household consumption. Therefore, investment in Flores needs to be encouraged so that the existing energy potential can be developed. “More optimal cross-sectoral coordination is needed to increase investment on Flores Island,” he said this week..

Director of PT Geothermal PLN Aris Edi Susangkiono explained, additional requests play a role to encourage the development of electricity infrastructure on the island of Flores-NTT at this time. “Electrical conditions in 2027, projected demand in Flores is 383 MW, while the total capacity of new plants is 629 MW,” Aris explained.

Aris added that this number did not include Wai Sano, Wai Pesi, Lesugolo, Oka Ile Ange and Gunung Sirung. Because of this, there is a need to increase demand to absorb electricity generated by plants.

On the other hand, Flores Island has many potential natural mineral resources that can be offered to attract investment. The ESDM Ministry noted, Flores has the hypothetical potential of  3.8 million tons of primary gold minerals, 34.938 million tons of manganese and iron sand.

As an illustration, for the operation of manganese processing and refining facilities (smelter) of 40,000 tons / year, 10 MW of energy is needed.

At present there are 11 mining companies still operating in Manggarai Regency, including PT Nusa Energy Raya, PT Indomineral Resources, PT Tamarindo Karya Resources, PT Multindo Cakrawala Sejati, PT Sumber Alam Nusantara, PT Tribina Sempurna, PT Masterlong Mining Resources, PT Sumber Jaya Asia, PT Rakhsa International, PT Menara Armada Pratama, and PT Wijaya Graha Prima.

Source: SindoNews