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PT PLN expects doubling its geothermal capacity in Indonesia

PT PLN expects doubling its geothermal capacity in Indonesia Lahendong Unit 2 plant Sulawesi, Indonesia (source: aecom.com)
Alexander Richter 3 Aug 2021

Indonesian state-owned power utility PLN is planning the doubling of its geothermal power generation capacity with own projects and those in partnership with PGE and Geo Dipa Energi.

State-owned PT PLN (Persero) stays commited on renewable energy development, one of which is working on Indonesia’s second largest energy treasure geothermal nenergy.

PLN’s Executive Vice President of Corporate Communications and CSR, Agung Murdifi, said the company is currently working on a total of 590 MW in geothermal power generation capacity from projects from the current 572 MW capacity, so the total PLTP capacity will increase to 1,162 MW.

The additional 590 MW capacity consists of 360 MW which is carried out by the company itself, and 230 MW in partership with state-owned-enterprise  PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE).

From the current capacity, electricity from PLTP is generated at 4,128 Giga Watt hour (GWh). If 590 MW is added, electricity production will increase by 4,651 GWh. At the end of 2020 the national geothermal power generation capacity has only reached 2,133 MW with an additional 45 MW just having come online in July 2021 stands now at 2,178 MW.

“Seeing the existing potential, PLN has an interest in increasing the utilization of geothermal energy through the construction of PLTP. Because geothermal is one of the clean energy that can be used as electricity. Emissions produced from geothermal energy are far below coal and natural gas,” he said, as quoted from the company’s official statement, last week.

In the near future, there are three PLTP projects that will operate, including:

1. Dieng Binary PLTP 

It is estimated that it will operate commercially in 2023. The PLTP, which is the result of a collaboration between PT PLN Gas & Geothermal and Geo Dipa, is estimated to be maximized up to 10 MW.

2. Lahendong Binary plant

PLTP with a capacity of 5 MW, which will operate in 2023. The power plant project in collaboration with PT PLN Gas & Geothermal and PGE has a potential of up to 30 MW.

3. Ulubelu Binary plant

The plant will have a power generation capacity of 10 MW which will operate commercially in 2024. This PLTP is a collaboration between PT PLN Gas & Geothermal and PGE. It is estimated that this PLTP has a potential that can be maximized up to approximately 100 MW.

“This success is the result of the synergy of SOEs, between PLN, Pertamina Geothermal Energy, and Geo Dipa Energi,” said Agung.

The PLTPs that are already operating owned by PLN include:

  • PLTP Ulubelu units 1 and 2 of 110 MW,
  • PLTP Mataloko 2.5 MW,
  • PLTP Lahendong 80 MW, and
  • PLTP Ulumbu 10 MW.

Some of the PLTP projects that are included in PLN’s plans include:

  • Kepahiang PLTP of 2×55 MW in 2027,
  • Tangkuban Perahu PLTP of 2×20 MW (2026-2027),
  • Ungaran PLTP of 55MW (2027),
  • Oka Ille Ange PLTP 2x5MW (2028),
  • Atadei PLTP of 2x5MW (2027),
  • Tulehu PLTP of 2x10MW (2025-2026), and
  • Songa Wayaua PLTP of 2×5 MW (2025-2027).

He said, there are several advantages of developing power plants that are sourced from geothermal resources, including those from natural resources and can be renewed, are sustainable , which means they can produce sustainable energy, so that it is available for a long period of time.

In addition, this energy is also reliable, which is not dependent on weather conditions. Then, the nature of geothermal energy is  direct use , meaning that it can be used directly to end users.

Then, it can create jobs, no pollution and environmentally friendly. In addition, it does not require land or large space, it only requires 0.75 ha per MW.

Source: CNBC Indonesia