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West Sumatra welcomes geothermal pilot project
West Sumatra has shown its seriousness in exploiting the abundance of geothermal energy with initial drilling carried out in South Solok regency two weeks ago
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est Sumatra has shown its seriousness in exploiting the abundance of geothermal energy with initial drilling carried out in South Solok regency two weeks ago. The pilot project has the potential to produce 440 megawatts of electricity (MWe) and is expected to begin generating power by early 2015.
West Sumatra Governor Irwan Prayitno said the provincial administration were set to explore 16 potential geothermal spots along the Sumatran fault line. In the near future, a tender will be carried out to exploit a location in Bonjol, Pasaman regency. Chevron and the Bakrie Group are among the companies that have expressed an interest.
“We would be stupid not to exploit the abundance of eco-friendly and renewable energy that we have wasted all this time. We will provide support and facilities,” he said Monday.
According to Irwan, Indonesia’s potential for geothermal energy is the largest in the world, with around 40 percent of global potential. Some sources even predict it may reach 22,000 MWe. Sumatra has the largest reserves, part of which has been found in West Sumatra.
However, government regulations impede the use of geothermal energy in Indonesia. The government first issued a specific regulation on geothermal energy in October 2003, when Irwan was head of the House of Representatives’ Commission VII overseeing energy.
The law stipulates that geothermal energy can be explored by the private sector and no longer monopolized by state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina.
“The geothermal drilling in Muarolabuh, South Solok, is the first in Indonesia since the law came into force,” said Irwan.
Vice president of Star Energy and deputy head of the Indonesian Geothermal Association (API), Sanusi Satar, said Indonesia should utilize geothermal energy to maintain its national energy reserves.
He said at the current pace of production, the nation’s energy reserves would gradually deplete. He said at the current annual production rate of 387 million barrels from the remaining 9.1 billion barrels, oil supplies would only last another 28 years.
