Govt may turn PGE into special SOE

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is considering to set up a new state-owned enterprise (SOE) specially engaged in the development of geothermal energy, Kontan reported on Friday.

Minister Sudirman Said was quoted as saying that one of the options is to turn PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE), a subsidiary of state-owned oil and gas firm PT Pertamina, to become the new SOE.

If realized, PGE would not longer be a subsidiary of Pertamina, thus having greater freedom in carrying out its geothermal business.

Meanwhile, Antara also reported that President Joko Widodo at the opening of a new and renewable energy convention in Jakarta Wednesday also highlighted the plan to set up the special SOE to help accelerate the development geothermal energy in the country. (*)