BANDUNG, September 3 (EngineeringDaily) -- Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources will be auctioning contracts for 25 Geothermal Working Areas (WKP) located in several regions of Indonesia in 2014.
"Many investors have been waiting for the Geothermal Bill to be passed as an official Act. Now that it has been finalized, investors will be flocking to invest," said Director of Geothermal Energy for the Directorate General of New Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBTKE) of the Ministry of Energy, Ianjut Tisnaldi.
Geothermal energy has long been a primary focus for the government’s energy infrastructure plans. Tisnaldi stated that Indonesia has a total of 299 locations with geothermal potential.
Thus far, a total of 65 Geothermal Working Areas (WKP) have been explored, with some yielding finds of steam production and potential for generating electricity. "There are 65 WKP that have been and are now under exploration. They include Kamojang, Drajat, and Sibayat," said Tisnaldi.
Upon discovery of electricity potential, the explored WKPs are open for geothermal plant construction, and with the passing of the Geothermal Bill in law, the government will evaluate bids for project construction at each site. So far, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has announced nine WKPs ready for construction:
1. WKP Geraho nyabu, Jambi-Kerinci of 200 MW
2. WKP Mount Talang, Bukit Kili, Solok in West Sumatra of 65 MW.
3. WKP Mt.Arjuno Welirang, Pasuruan, Malang, East Java of 185 MW.
4. WKP Mount Pandan, East Java Madiun of 60 MW.
5. WKP Mount Wilis, East Java of 50 MW.
6. WKP Mount Songkoroti, Blitar, Malang, East Java of 35 MW.
7. WKP Pangrango Mount Gede, West Java of 85 MW.
8. WKP Gunung Hamiding, North Halmahera of 265 MW.
9. WKP Telaga Rano, North Halmahera of 85 MW.
The Ministry will continue to explore the remaining sites and award contracts for construction in the hopes that new geothermal plants will boast the nation’s electricity supply.
By Ismail Al Anshori
