PLN Geothermal builds three power plants

PT PLN Geothermal, a subsidiary of state owned electricity company PLN, plans to build and operate three geothermal power plants in West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara and North Sumatra to reduce reliance on highly cost oil-based fuel fired power plants.

Mohammad Sofyan, the head of new and renewable energy department at PLN, said in Jakarta on Friday that the three new power plants would comprise PLTP Sembahan, PLTP Mataloko and PLTP Sarulla.

PLTP Sembahan which will be built in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara will have capacity of 20 MW which could be further upgraded to 60 MW. ?We received a permit from the government in October. We have readied investment of about US$100 million for the power plant,? he added.

Meanwhile, PLTP Mataloko which will be built in East Nusa Tenggara, with investment of $12.5 million, will have a capacity of 2.5 MW. PLTP Sarulla which will be built in North Sulawesi, North Sumatra.(*)