Only 2.5% of geo-thermal potency exploited

Indonesia has so far only benefited 2.5 percent from the abundant sources of the country?s geo-thermal energy as an alternative to generate electricity, according Sihwanto, the head of the public relations of the state owned Indonesia Power.

He said that at present there are only three companies, which operate geo-thermal power plants. They include PLN, Unocal and Amoseas.

According to him, the government should further deregulate the industry in a bid to lure investors to take the advantage of the country?s abundant geo-thermal energy. As the energy from other sources such as fuels are declining, the geo-thermal would play an important role in the future in the country?s electricity.

Pertamina has found at least 217 fields of geo-thermal power sources, with total generating capacity of 20,000 MW. The capacity could be doubled to 40,000 MW, or almost three times the power supply of about 14,000 in the Java and Bali electricity networks. (*)