In the midst of the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE) throughout 2020, has succeeded in producing electricity from clean energy sources or renewable energy of 4,618 Giga Watt Hour (GWh). The amount of clean energy produced from 15 geothermal working areas in Indonesia is recorded to be up 14 percent from the target set by the company.
To date, PGE is leading in national geothermal management with an installed capacity of 1,887 MW, of which 1,205 MW is managed with partners and 672 MW is operated by PGE alone.
“The installed capacity in all PGE geothermal working areas covers 88 percent of the total installed capacity of geothermal electricity in Indonesia. This shows how big PGE's contribution is in the development of geothermal resources in Indonesia," said PGE Operations Director, Eko Agung Bramantyo.
Areas where geothermal potential is located, most of which are located in remote mountainous areas, are a challenge for geothermal development. "At the beginning of development, we need to build road and bridge infrastructure to be able to bring the rig to the intended drilling location, there is even a road that we have built for almost 40 km," Agung added. The steep topography is also another challenge in geothermal development. "We are working with consultants and universities to develop an Early Warning System (EWR) to anticipate landslides around the PGE Area and Project," explained Agung.
Currently, the community around the PGE geothermal area has enjoyed the multiplier effect of geothermal development, one of which is the development of infrastructure. on the wheels, now the road is smooth, it only takes 30 minutes to get to the nearest city,” said Agung.
Entering 2021, PGE will step into a World Class Green Energy Company. Various strategies and innovations have also been prepared. As a Sub-holding Power & New Renewable Energy (PNRE), PGE will develop activities in the management of the clean energy development industry, both based on geothermal energy so that it becomes a pioneer in developing future energy in Indonesia.
In the next 10 years, PGE targets to increase the installed capacity of clean energy sourced from geothermal to more than double that which is currently operated by PGE alone. The target is that by 2030 PGE will increase the installed capacity that is managed directly by PGE to 1,540 MW. This means that in 2030 PGE has the potential to be able to contribute to the potential emission reduction of 9 million tons of CO2 per year, and is targeting to become the top three geothermal producers in the world.
Strategic partnership is also one of the strategies carried out by PGE in its plan to increase geothermal installed capacity, "We conducted a joint study with several potential partners, including with PLN Gas & Geothermal (PLN GG) and Medco Power Indonesia to explore the potential for additional capacity both in PGE's working areas and in the work areas of PLN GG and Medco”, Director of Exploration & Development of PGE, Tafif Azimudin added. At the same time, PGE is also preparing the development of green hydrogen, which is currently a world energy transition trend.
Tafif explained “Green hydrogen is a very clean form of new energy and future energy. This is one of the keys in achieving the zero emission target in the future.” According to Tafif, PGE is very excited to be at the forefront of looking for new things to increase the value of geothermal resources in Indonesia, especially those in PGE's working areas.
PGE, he added, systematically uses a multitrack development approach in developing geothermal energy, so that it is not only looking for geothermal resources for steam that can be developed into electricity, but at the same time looking for other fluids that can be utilized for the development of green hydrogen. The development of green hydrogen will be carried out through strategic partnerships, both in terms of technology, access to markets and in terms of funding.
"PGE as part of the Power, New and Renewable Energy sub-holding which carries out the strategic mission of the Pertamina Group to collaborate with all parties in Indonesia to lead the energy transition process through innovations in the field of clean energy," he said.
