Geothermal energy program may not reach target

The government?s target to add 1,343 megawatt (MW) of geothermal power by 2015 may not be attainable given the delay of commercial operation date (COD) of a number of geothermal projects, President Director of PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE), Abadi Poernomo said.

Abadi was quoted by Investor Daily as saying that there could be only additional 852 MW of geothermal energy by then (2015).

He argued that it takes time for geothermal power developers to secure necessary approval since most of the geothermal working areas (WKP) are located in protected forest, conservation areas and national parks.

?The utilization of protected and conservation forest is conflicting with other regulations,? Abadi said during a hearing with members of the House of Representatives.

?We are seeking the support of the forestry ministry and the energy and mineral resources ministry to assure certainty in providing permit to allow the development of geothermal power in the protected forest, conservation areas and national parks,? he said.

Director for Planning and Technology of state utility company, Nasri Sebayang, said the geothermal energy potentials in Indonesia reached 29,138 MW, while the currently utilized capacity is only 1,178 MW.

He therefore called on the government and the House to speed up the revision of the forestry and geothermal laws in order to accelerate the development of geothermal power program. (*)