Govt plans ten more gothermal power plant projects

The government had planned the development of ten geothermal power plants with a combined capacity of 803 Megawatt (MW), which are expected to come into operation by 2011, a minister said Tuesday.

?Four of the power plants with a total capacity of 213 MW will be proposed to (state-owned power company) PT PLN for development, while the remaining six power plants will be offered to IPPs (Independent Power Producers),? Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro told a hearing with the House of Representatives.

The four power plant projects proposed to PLN are a unit at Kamojang (which is designed with the capacity of 60 MW and expected to start operation in 2010), Ulubelu (110 MW, 2011), Ulumbu (3 MW, 2007) and Lahendong (40 MW, 2009-2010).

The six power plants to be offered to IPPs are a unit at Kamojang (which is designed with the capacity of 60 MW and expected to start operation in 2006), Patuha (180 MW, 2006-2008), Wayang Windu (110 MW, 2007), Drajat # 3 (110 MW, 2007), Dieng (120 MW, 2007-2008), Bedugul (10 MW, 2007).

Purnomo also said PT Geodipa Energi, a joint venture between PT PLN and state-owned oil and gas firm PT Pertamina that won the tender to build Sarulla power plant (300 MW) in North Sumatra, was currently preparing their Joint Operation Contract and Energy Sales Contract.

Sarulla is scheduled to commence operation in 2009 or 2010, according to Purnomo.

Indonesia's geothermal power plants now have a combined capacity of 804.3 MW, compared with a total of 27 GW in potentials. (dino)