Manado, February 13, 2026 - PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk (PGE) (IDX: PGEO) is strengthening its role as a Geothermal Center of Excellence by implementing best practices in the development and utilization of geothermal energy. This commitment was demonstrated by PGE's active participation in a seminar and exploration of a sister city partnership between the local governments of North Sulawesi Province and New Zealand, held in Manado on Thursday (February 12, 2026).
This sister city partnership exploration opens up opportunities for collaboration in various strategic sectors, including clean energy development, particularly geothermal energy, sustainable tourism, agriculture, trade, and strengthening human resource capacity. North Sulawesi and New Zealand share similar characteristics, ranging from substantial geothermal potential, rich tourism and agricultural sectors, to strong cultural values. These similarities provide an important foundation for knowledge exchange, enhanced technical cooperation, and the creation of sustainable economic value for both regions.
The event, held at the North Sulawesi Governor's Office, was attended by several stakeholders, including the Acting Regional Secretary of North Sulawesi, Dr. Denny Mangala, New Zealand Ambassador to Indonesia H.E. Phillip Taula, Director General of Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBTKE) of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Prof. Dr. Eng. Eniya Listiani Dewi, Director of Geothermal Energy at the Directorate General of EBTKE of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Gigih Udi Atmo, S.T., M.EPM., President Director of PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk Ahmad Yani, General Manager of PT PLN UIP Sulbagut Wisnu Kuncoro Adi, President Director of PT Gunung Hijau Masarang Aulia Reinozha, Advisor to the Indonesia-Aotearoa New Zealand (PINZ) Geothermal Energy Program Ahmad Yuniarto, and energy sector stakeholders.
New Zealand Ambassador to Indonesia H.E. Phillip Taula highlighted the enormous potential of the Lahendong Geothermal Working Area (WKP) in driving regional economic growth in North Sulawesi.
"The geothermal potential in Lahendong is an extraordinary strategic asset. We support geothermal development in Lahendong through technical collaboration, capacity building, and knowledge exchange between research institutions, universities, and the industrial sector. With strong regional leadership, geothermal can become an anchor industry that attracts investment, forms green industry clusters, and enhances regional competitiveness at the national and Asia-Pacific levels."
The North Sulawesi Provincial Government also affirmed its commitment to this partnership. The Governor of North Sulawesi, represented by Acting Regional Secretary Dr. Denny Mangala, expressed his hope that this sister city collaboration would deliver concrete benefits.
"Through this program, we hope to see concrete knowledge and technology transfer, increased human resource capacity, and the opening of new investment opportunities that are mutually beneficial for both countries," he said.
Meanwhile, the Director General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (NRE) at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Prof. Dr. Eng. Eniya Listiani Dewi, welcomed the exploration of this collaboration and encouraged North Sulawesi to become a vanguard of national green energy utilization.
"We want to maximize geothermal energy utilization, not only for electricity, but also for prosperity. This partnership with New Zealand is expected to produce a concrete action plan, so that North Sulawesi can become a leading province in green development towards achieving the greenest electricity," he said.
Currently, PGE's Lahendong Area operates six Geothermal Power Plants (PLTP) with a total capacity of 120 megawatts (MW), equivalent to meeting 24 percent of North Sulawesi's electricity needs. This operation contributes to the potential reduction of emissions of up to 624,000 tons of CO2 per year. PGE is also accelerating the development of Lahendong PLTP Units 7 & 8 with a capacity of 2x20 MW, as well as a binary unit with a capacity of 15 MW.
President Director of PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk, Ahmad Yani, stated that PGE's Lahendong Area is one of PGE's flagship working areas and a concrete example of geothermal energy's contribution to regional development.
"In addition to producing clean electricity, PGE contributes directly to regional revenue through geothermal non-tax state revenue (PNBP), production bonuses, and 1 percent of revenue channeled directly to the regional treasury. This is important capital for regions to develop sustainable development programs," he explained.
Ahmad Yani also emphasized that geothermal development does not stop at electricity production alone, but rather extends to creating added value through direct use and developing geothermal derivative business chains.
"When we talk about developing new revenue and creating added value from geothermal energy, we are not only talking about generating clean electricity, but also developing the potential of the geothermal value chain. In Lahendong, PGE has implemented various pilot projects."
