PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk (PGE) (IDX: PGEO) affirmed its strategic move beyond electricity by launching the Ulubelu Green Hydrogen Pilot Project. This project is a crucial part of PGE's efforts to build an end-to-end green hydrogen ecosystem, from production and distribution to utilization, to support the transition to a low-carbon industry.
PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk President Director Julfi Hadi emphasized the importance of this project as a milestone in PGE's business transformation. "This groundbreaking is the first step for PGE to build an integrated green business chain from upstream to downstream. This facility is not only an innovation center but also a model that can be replicated in other geothermal working areas, while also opening up opportunities to accelerate off-grid solutions for transportation and low-carbon industries. Going forward, PGE's development roadmap also includes the downstreaming of green ammonia and green methanol as future energy solutions," he explained.
On this occasion, Julfi stated that this technology will be adopted in various other PGE Geothermal Working Areas (WKP) in the future. This PGE initiative is supported by various parties, including the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) and the Ministry of Investment and Downstream Development/BKPM.
Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Yuliot Tanjung, expressed his appreciation for this initiative. "Green hydrogen is a low-emission alternative energy source that is believed to be a breakthrough in the global energy transition. This project supports the achievement of the national renewable energy mix target while strengthening energy security towards Net Zero Emissions by 2060," he said.
Deputy Minister of Investment and Downstream Development/Deputy Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Todotua Pasaribu, emphasized that the development of green hydrogen has a strategic impact on the national energy downstream sector. "Initiatives like this not only provide environmentally friendly energy, but are also part of the national downstream strategy to strengthen industrial competitiveness, energy security, and the long-term economy," he said.
President Director of PT Pertamina (Persero), Simon Aloysius Mantiri, added that this project marks the first step in green hydrogen development within the Pertamina Group and the first step in building a green hydrogen ecosystem from upstream to downstream.
"The Ulubelu Green Hydrogen Pilot Project is a historic milestone that integrates geothermal energy with hydrogen technology. This project is not only a technological learning center, but also a crucial foundation for accelerating the roadmap for an integrated national clean energy ecosystem," he said.
About the Ulubelu Green Hydrogen Pilot Project
The Ulubelu Green Hydrogen Pilot Project is a clean energy development initiative that utilizes a combination of geothermal energy as a renewable energy source and modern, more energy-efficient electrolysis technology. This facility is designed to produce up to 100 kilograms of green hydrogen per day with a high efficiency rate of 82–88 percent.
In addition to being a production facility, this facility also functions as a center for technological learning, commercial feasibility testing, and market studies to map potential demand in the next phase.
Therefore, the Groundbreaking in Ulubelu is a concrete manifestation of PGE's commitment to strengthening the foundation of Indonesia's energy transition towards Net Zero Emissions 2060.
Strengthening Geothermal Development in Sumatra
PGE continues to expand geothermal development in Sumatra through strategic initiatives. In the Ulubelu Geothermal Working Area (WKP), PGE inaugurated the 55-megawatt (MW) Gunung Tiga Geothermal Power Plant (PLTP) greenfield exploration project. Meanwhile, last June, PGE successfully completed the key operational phase of the Lumut Balai Unit 2 Geothermal Power Plant (55 MW), which is now supplying electricity to the national grid.
Furthermore, PGE is currently conducting a feasibility study for the development of Lumut Balai Unit 3 (55 MW) and an exploration feasibility study for Unit 4 (55 MW). Concurrently, PGE is also preparing the Hululais Geothermal Power Plant (2x55 MW), which is targeted for full operation by the end of 2027 or early 2028. All of these steps demonstrate PGE's commitment to supporting the clean energy transition while strengthening national energy security.
