Govt to issue exploration permits for 28 geothermal fields

The government plans to issue exploration permits for at least 28 geothermal fields to further increase the use of renewable energy in the country?s energy mix, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Jero Wacik said.

Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Nusadua, Bali over the weekend, the minister said that the 28 geothermal fields which would be offered for exploration were all located in protected forests.

Jero said that he had talked with Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan on the possibility of the exploration of the 28 geothermal fields. According to him, he and Minister Zulkifli would meet on Tuesday to sign an agreement on the issuance of exploration permits for the 28 geothermal fields.

He said the agreement would among others include the compensation with regards to the use of forestry area for the geothermal exploration and production. He hoped that the agreement would be able to further increase the use of the geothermal in the country?s energy mix. (romel)