PLN to develop geothermal plant in Ambon, expand capacity in Manggarai

State-owned electricity firm PT. PLN said that it was now completing land acquisition process to realize its planned geothermal power plant project in Tulehu, Ambon, Maluku Province.

Kontan quoted Senior Manager of Geothermal at PLN, Anang Yahmadi as saying Friday that the company was completing land acquisition process to carry out drilling programs at the Tulehu geothermal concession. Once land acquisition process is complete, tender for the engineering, procurement and construction will be implemented, he added.

PLN won the Tulehu geothermal concession in September of 1997. The 1,920 hectares concession is estimated to have geothermal potential of 100 MW. PLN plans to develop a 2x10 MW geothermal power plant to increase electricity supply in Ambon and surrounding area.

Elsewhere, Anang said that PLN plans to expand the capacity of its Ulumbu geothermal plant in Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara Province, by 10 MW in the near future. The company is currently making feasibility study for the project, which is estimated to require investment of US$40 million, and is projected to be completed in 2019. (*)