Permits for geothermal projects in forest area to be issued in 2012

The Ministry of Forestry aims to be able to issue all of the land-use permits required for the development of the entire geothermal potential located within forest areas in 2012, Kompas reported on Thursday.

Of the total 29,038 MW of geothermal reserves in Indonesia , as much as 14,172 MW is located in protected and conservation forest areas.

Speaking on the sidelines of a visit to the Wayang Windu geothermal power plant in Bandung, West Java , on Wednesday Minister of Forestry Zulkifli Hasan denied suggestion that the ministry had been trying to hamper geothermal development in Indonesia .

?In fact, we want to accelerate the use of the environmentally friendly renewable energy, and since May 2011, 28 permits have been issued,? he said.

The ministry on Wednesday extended the land-use permit of the Wayang Windu geothermal power plant, which is owned by Star Energy, a company controlled by tycoon Prajogo Pangestu.

The minister said he was targeting for a permit of geothermal development to be issued within a three-month period from the date the application submitted to the ministry.

According to data from the ministry, the permits which have been issued for geothermal development include those for Chevron Geothermal in the Gunung Halimun National Park ; to PT Pertamina EP in the Kamojang area; and to PT Dizamatra Powerindo. (*)