Yogyakarta, November 26, 2019Yogyakarta as one of the centers of education in Indonesia has become one of the locations chosen by PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE) to carry out one of the series of PGE's 13th anniversary activities.
Through the Yogyakarta Joint Convention (JCY) 2019 together with HAGI, IAGI, IAFMI and IATMI, PGE presented one of the panel discussions that took the theme "Geothermal: Beyond Energy", presenting 4 panelists namely Ida Nuryatin Finahari, Director of EBTKE ESDM, Ali Mundakir, Managing Director of PGE, Anif Punto Utomo, journalist and book writer, Muchsin Chasani Abdul Qadir, World Bank.
In her presentation entitled Accelerating Geothermal Development in Indonesia, Ida Nuryatin Finahari explained that the Government was committed to reducing emissions as evidenced by the Government's commitment in the Paris Agreement at COP 21 in Paris which was later ratified through Law No. 16 of 2016.
"In the National Energy Policy, the Government is targeting that in 2025 New Renewable Energy can contribute 23% of the energy mix of which 13% is generating electricity for electricity and 3% is targeted from geothermal," said Ida.
"With the various advantages and challenges of geothermal, the Government is targeting that in 2030 geothermal installed capacity in Indonesia can reach 10,000 MW," added Ida.
As we all know that geothermal energy is sustainable energy, carbon emissions are very low (almost non-existent), reliable as a base load, and have a positive impact on the national economy.
"Geothermal energy is a gift given by God to the nation of Indonesia and is abundant. Whether we want to use it or not, the fact is that geothermal energy has always been and will always be in Indonesia, so it is unfortunate if we do not use it optimally,
"Ali Mundakir added in the introduction to his presentation entitled Geothermal: Beyond Energy. Ali also emphasized that Pertamina has consistently committed to add geothermal installed capacity every year, with an investment commitment of 2.68 billion dollars.
"Geothermal is not only about energy development, but there is a multiplier effect of the development of geothermal energy, including optimization of domestic natural energy resources that can impact the country's foreign exchange savings, reduce carbon emissions, regional development through infrastructure improvement, and increase education and foreign relations can have an impact on increasing human resources and the transfer of knowledge and technology "explained Ali.
In addition, the series of infrastructure development in the context of geothermal development can in fact be beneficial for developers and the surrounding community in increasing accessibility that has an impact on improving the economy and growth.
Adequate infrastructure, both in quantity and quality, is an absolute prerequisite for high economic growth. Infrastructure development is also needed to realize equity, reduce poverty and improve quality of life.
"Whereas before there was an increase in infrastructure in the Ngarip region, Ulubelu, Lampung, where the community would need up to 10 hours to travel by car and motorbike to Bandar Lampung City, now since there was an increase in infrastructure it would only take 3 hours" explained Anif Punto.
"Financially, the local area will also get financial benefits in the form of production bonuses and profit sharing funds," said Anif.
"In addition, for example, Lahendong, North Sulawesi, before the existence of PLTP, there was a turn to turn on electricity, not turn to turn off electricity, but after the existence of PLTP the electricity needs could be quite fulfilled" continued Anif.
The challenge currently faced is that it cannot be denied that the Government is still focusing on energy sources that are cheaper than geothermal.
"It's just that the Government needs to realize that cheap energy today has the potential to cause environmental problems, especially pollution in the future," explained Muchsin.
"While geothermal is clean energy and is more reliable as a base load compared to other EBT which tends to be intermittent," continued Muchsin.
"Going forward, the development of direct use of geothermal energy (direct use) also has the potential to be developed on an industrial scale," concluded Muchsin.
On the occasion the launching and distribution of 200 PGE books, namely "Geothermal: Beyond Energy", was written by Anif Punto Utomo which specifically explored the externalities of geothermal development, especially in the work areas managed by PGE.
The seminar participants also seemed enthusiastic to know more deeply related to geothermal development in Indonesia by criticizing related matters such as tariff schemes that need to be studied to accelerate geothermal development in Indonesia and correct perceptions that are not appropriate in the implementation of geothermal activities.
At present Indonesia with a geothermal installed capacity of 2047 MW is the second largest geothermal energy producer in the world, and 92% is generated from the PGE working area, which consists of 672 MW Own Operations and 1205 MW Joint Operation Contracts (JOC).
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