PLN targets Guci geothermal power plant to be operational in 2018

By Hisky Darmayana

State-owned electricity company PLN has set a target for the Guci geothermal power plant in Pemalang, Central Java, to operate commercially in 2018.

The project, being developed by a company called PT Spring Energy Sentosa, is currently in the process of completing a pre-feasibility study.

?The project is awaiting for the permit from the Ministry of Forestry to use forest area and start the actual FS or exploration,? said Senior Manager for Geothermal at PLN, Anang Yahmadi.

Anang explained that in accordance with the law, the development of the Guci geothermal power plant must be equipped with a permit from the Ministry of Forestry because the project is located in the forest area on the slope of mount Slamet.

Elsewhere, the developer, the government and PLN are still currently negotiating the energy sales contract for the geothermal power plant once it enters commercial operation. ?We have reached an agreement for the purchase price that must be paid by PLN, that is at 9.09 US cent per kwh,? Anang said, adding that the Guci power plant will have a capacity of 1x55 MW.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak