Government plans to boost geothermal power capacity in Flores

By Nova Farida

The government aims to boost geothermal power plant capacity on Flores Island, in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province, up to 40 MW over the next five years to increase power supply in the region.

Yunus Saefulhak, Director of Geothermal at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, said on Friday that Flores has geothermal resources with power generating capacity potential of up to 902 MW, or 65 percent of NTT?s total potential, spread in 16 location points including Waisano, Ulumbu, Wai Pesi, Gou-Inelika, Mengeruda, Mataloko, Komandaru, Ndetusoko, Sokoria, Jopu, lesugolo, Oka Ile Ange, Atedai, Bukapiting, Roma-Ujelewung, and Oyang Barang.

So far, only the Ulumbu and Mataloko geothermal potentials have been utilized for geothermal power plant with installed capacity of 12.5 MW, he said. ?Over the next five years, it could reach 30-40 MW. Now, the Sokor geothermal working area is being developed,? he said.

The government will prioritize the Geothermal Fund sponsored by the World Bank for detailed exploration activities of geothermal potential on Flores Island to increase electricity supply in the region to help develop local industries.

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has declared Flores Island as Geothermal Island in a bid to optimize the utilization of the local geothermal potential as source of electricity.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak