Pertamina investing USD 3m on geothermal-powered green hydrogen pilot in Indonesia
Ulubelu geothermal area, Lampung, Indonesia (source: Pertamina Geothermal Energy)
Carlo Cariaga
11 Feb 2026
Pertamina is investing $3 million on a green hydrogen pilot project at the Ulubelu geothermal site to evaluate the feasibility of commercial scale deployment.
PT Pertamina (Persero) through PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGEO) has allocated an investment of around USD 3 million for a green hydrogen pilot project at the Ulubelu geothermal site in Lampung, Indonesia. The project held its groundbreaking ceremony in late 2025 and is expected to start operations by the end of 2026.
The investment figure was stated by newly appointed PGEO President Director Ahmad Yani during the kick-off ceremony of the Green Terminal initiative at the Tanjung Sekong LPG Terminal in Banten. Ahman further added that about 80% of the green hydrogen that will be produced at the Ulubelu site will be used to support low-carbon energy needs the Tankung Sekong LPG terminal through the use of fuel cell technology.
The Tanjung Sekong terminal supplies 35-40% of the LPG needs of Indonesia, making it a strategic site to evaluate the impact of potential decarbonization efforts.
Based on a previous announcement, the pilot plant will serve as a center for technology learning, testing of commercial feasibility, and further studies on demand and product quality. The facility will utilize Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) electrolyzer technology, making it a global pioneer in the use of this technology for green hydrogen production.
Upon the start of operations by Q4 2026, the facility will operate within a three-year trial period to establish commercial readiness before PGE develops the green hydrogen business on a larger scale. The green hydrogen pilot will be carried out through an ecosystem of Pertamina subsidiaries, with PT Pertamina Energy Terminal as the end-user and PT Elnusa Petrofin handling the distribution.
As Agung Wicaksono, Director of Business Transformation and Sustainability at PT Pertamina (Persero), the company is taking a strategic approaching in the development of its green hydrogen business. “This shows that the transformation towards sustainable business is not just a concept, but has been directly implemented in strategic operational assets,” Agung said.
Source: NusantaraTV and Antara News
