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Indonesia saves $93m in fossil fuel cost with the operation of the Kamojang geothermal plants

Indonesia saves $93m in fossil fuel cost with the operation of the Kamojang geothermal plants Kamojang geothermal plant by Indonesia Power, Indonesia (source: ThinkGeoEnergy, creative commons)
Alexander Richter 23 Mar 2020

With the lower production cost for geothermal, the geothermal power plants of the Kamojang geothermal field in Bandung, Indonesia saved around USD 93 million in diesel fuel cost, according to Indonesia Power, a subsidiary of PT PLN in Indonesia.

The Kamojang Geothermal Power Plant (PLTP), Bandung Regency, West Java, not only provides carbon-free clean energy, but also saved Rp1.5 trillion (around USD 93 million) in 2019 when compared to the use of fuel oil (BBM) or fossil fuels.

“Last year, Kamojang Unit 1-3 PLTP production with a total capacity of 140 MW reached 993 GWh. When compared with the use of diesel fuel, the savings in 2019 will be around Rp1.5 trillion (around USD 93 million), “said Indonesia Power M Operations Director 1 Hanafi Nur Rifa’i during a media meeting at PT Indonesia Power’s Kamojang Power Generation Operations and Maintenance Services Unit (POMU), Ibun District, Bandung Regency, West Java this month. Indonesia Power is a subsidiary of energy utility PT PLN.

Hanafi explained, the cost of generating diesel fuel types around Rp 2,600 per kWh. Meanwhile, the cost of geothermal power is only Rp1,100 per kWh. So there is a savings of Rp1,500 per kWh.

“If the total production in 2019 is 993 GWh, then the savings will be around Rp1.5 trillion,” Hanafi said.

Hanafi also explained to the media crew, geothermal energy is a new source of renewable energy (EBT) that is environmentally friendly.

“Unlike fossil plants that produce carbon emissions, geothermal does not emit emissions,” he said.

Kamojang PLTP consists of five units, three of which are operated by Indonesia Power, namely Unit 1 with a capacity of 30 MW, Unit 2 with a power of 55 MW, and Unit 3 also with 55 MW. “The total capacity is 140 MW,” he explained.

The other two units, namely units IV and V are operated by PT Pertamina Geothermal Energi, a subsidiary of PT Pertamina (Persero). While the total installed power of the power plants by Indonesia Power reaches 16,376 MW, of which 1,541 MW or 9.4 percent comes from renewable energy soruces.

Hanapi asserted, the existence of geothermal power plants is important to pursue the energy mix that has been set by the government at 23 percent in 2025 and 31 percent in 2050.

In addition, he continued, in accordance with Indonesia’s commitment in dealing with climate change, geothermal energy is also one of the mainstay energy sources in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 29 percent in 2030 without international assistance or 41 percent with international assistance.

Source: Panas Bumi News