Minister officially inaugurates Lahendong?s operation

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro officially inaugurated on Wednesday the operation of the PLTP Lahendong II geothermal power plant (1x20 MW) in North Sulawesi.

During the ceremony, Purnomo also witnessed the trial operation of the PLTP Lahendong III (1x10 MW).

Both projects were developed by PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE) and state owned electricity firm PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN).

?With the operations of Lahendong II and Lahendong III, 7.5 percent of geothermal potentials of North Sulawesi has been developed,? Purnomo said in his speech.

Lahendong II started operation on Jun 17, 2007. The project absorbed 607 workers, cost Rp 49.53 billion, US$4.54 million and 1.9 billion yen, and was financed using Loan ADB 1982-INO. Lahendong III absorbed 565 workers, cost Rp 81.47 billion, $8.39 million, 2.12 billion yen, and was financed using Loan JBIC IP 452 and APLN.

Purnomo said the government is promoting the development of geothermal power plant. Under the Blueprint of National Energy Management 2010-2025, geothermal power is targeted to account for 6.3 percent of the country?s energy mix in 2025. Thus far, only 3.7 percent of the country?s 27,000 MW geothermal power potentials have been developed, according to Purnomo. (Denny).