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Inpex kicks off operation of third geothermal plant
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An aerial view of the Sarulla geothermal power plants in North Tapanuli regency, North Sumatra. (Courtesy of/Sarulla Operations Ltd)
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apan's Inpex began the commercial operation of the third unit of its Sarulla geothermal power plant in North Sumatra on Wednesday, dubbed the world's largest single-contract geothermal project.
Along with its first and second units that have been in operation since March and October 2017, respectively, the total output of the Sarulla power plants now reached 330 megawatts (MW), according to the company’s press release.
“The three units will generate a combined power output of approximately 330 MW, equivalent to the power consumption for 2.1 million households,” Inpex said, adding that the electricity would be sold to state electricity firm PLN for 30 years.
The project, the construction of which started four years ago, is operated by Inpex’s operating company Sarulla Operations Ltd.
The operating company’s shareholders are Kyushu Electric Power Co., Ltd, ITOCHU Corporation, PT Medco Power Indonesia, Inpex Corporation and Ormat Technologies, Inc.
The government is targeting an electrification ratio of 99 percent in 2019 from the current ratio of 97.5 percent.
Through the solar-powered energy saving lamps (LTSHE) program, about 167,064 households are expected to get electricity connections this year.
Previously, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry energy conservation and renewable energy director general Rida Mulyana said that the ministry would reach the target of 2,058 MW with the aid of geothermal power plants, this year.
“As of April, the total capacity of our geothermal power plants has reached 1,924 MW or 93.5 percent of this year's total target,” Rida said. “At this point we have passed the Philippines to become the second biggest geothermal producing country in the world.” (bbn)
