Indonesia-New Zealand partnership on geothermal to intensify
Karaha project site, December 2015 (source: Hawkins)
Alexander Richter
1 Sep 2017
With similar characteristics of its geothermal resources, Indonesia and New Zealand are strengthening their partnership on geothermal development.
New Zealanders have been active on geothermal energy development in Indonesia for more than four decades. With the renewed push for development both countries are strengthening their partnership.
New Zealand Ambassador Trevor Matheson said the country stands ready to help Indonesia tap its geothermal resources for energy, tourism and agriculture, building on the two countries’ 40-year cooperation in the sector.
“The trend is very clear that Indonesia, for the next decade, on its current growth rate, [has the] potential to become the world’s largest producer of geothermal energy – if the policy settings for geothermal resources are identified appropriately, along with skills and training and the right strategy to attract investment to this area,” Matheson said in an interview with the Jakarta Post.
In order to strengthen development efforts, Indonesia must provide incentives for investment into renewable energy development in the country.
Today, New Zealand provides aid for development programs in Indonesia, particularly focused on the eastern part of the country, where many areas, such as Papua and East Nusa Tenggara, still bear high costs to transport coal, petroleum and diesel to these islands and the more remote areas within them to generate power.
New Zealand and Indonesia share similar characteristics to its geothermal resources, so there is much to cooperate on. One important element is social acceptance.
“How communities can be brought on board to understand what is below their feet [poses] real potential. If used in the right way, it helps protect the environment, livelihoods, while ensuring their beliefs and cultures are totally respected,” Matheson said.
He said New Zealand’s experience in developing geothermal resources showed that the support of local communities is critical and that it would pave the way for more investment and job creation.
The Maori, New Zealand’s indigenous Polynesian people, are some of the major investors in the country’s geothermal plants today and take active roles in the development as well as decision-making processes.
For the full article see link below.
Source: Jakarta Post
