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Only 5 percent of geothermal potential utilized: Minister
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Environmentally friendly -- The Dieng geothermal power plant (pictured) in Central Java is one of main sources of renewable energy in Indonesia. (Tempo/Aris Andrianto)
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nergy and Mineral Resources Minister Arcandra Tahar says Indonesia has so far installed 1,494 Megawatts (MW) of geothermal power plants, making up 5 percent of the total 29,000 MW of geothermal potential in the country.
According to Arcandra, this means that the government can speed up the development of geothermal energy so it will account for 23 percent of the nation’s total energy mix, from the current 5 percent, by 2025 as stipulated by Government Regulation (PP) 79/2014 on National Energy Policy.
Indonesia aims to achieve 7,200 MW of geothermal energy by 2025.
"This target is actually not really ambitious, considering the total 29,000 MW of geothermal energy potential that we have. However, the installed capacity is now only 1,494 MW or 5 percent of total potential," Candra said, during the opening of the 4th Indonesia International Geothermal Convention and Exhibition (IIGCE) on Wednesday.
Candra said that in 2016 alone, installed geothermal power was expected to reach 1,653 MW. The additional capacity would come from Lahendong VI geothermal power plant with a capacity of 25 MW in North Sulawesi, 110 MW from Sarulla geothermal power plant in North Sumatra and 30 MW from Karaha geothermal power plant in West Java, among others, he said
"In total, there will be an additional capacity of 215 MW in 2016," he said.
To achieve its geothermal energy target, the minister said, the government would redefine geothermal energy development so that it was no longer considered a mining business. This would allow geothermal exploration activities in forests. (ebf)
