PLN to kick off operation of PLTP Ulumbu
Thursday, November 10 2011 - 01:12 AM WIB
PLN has developed first stage of the project with output capacity of 5 megawatt, out of planned 10 MW.
PLN has drilled one well at a depth of 1,500 meters to generate steam for the first stage of the geothermal power plant. The funds to develop the first stage of the geothermal power plant reached Rp200 billion, taken from 2010 State Budget.
PLN plans to drill another well this year to bring up the output capacity to 10 MW. The central government plans allocate Rp173 billion for the second stage development of the power plant.
Manggarai Regency Head, Christian Rotok, said Ulumbu is the largest geothermal energy resources on Flores Island. ?It has geothermal potential of 170 MW if it is fully exploited,? he said.
PLTP Ulumbu is about 40 kilometers from Ruteng, the capital city of Manggarai and 60 kilometers from Labuan Bajo town, the western tip of the Flores Island and the gateway for tourists visiting the Komodo island.
The full operation of Ulumbu power plant could resolve electricity crisis in Manggarai and West Manggarai which has been plugged by regular power blackout.
The government has actually begun the exploration of the geothermal resources in 1980s. However, the project could not be developed due to poor infrastructure. The development of the power plant began in 2010, when Dahlan Iskan, now State Enterprise Minister, took the helm of PLN.
Hakim Nawawi, General Manager of PLN for Bali and Nusa Tenggara said the steam from the planned two wells can produce electricity which is enough to meet the electricity needs of people living in the town of Ruteng and the surrounding area.
Hakim Nawawi said PLTP Ulumbu was actually the pilot geothermal power plant developed by PLN to serve the electricity needs of villages in remote or rural areas. (roffie)