PLTP Lahendong Unit 4 to start operating in December

PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE), a subsidiary of state oil, gas firm PT Pertamina, said it will commence the operation of geothermal power plant (PLTP) Lahendong Unit 4 in Tomohon, North Sulawesi in mid December 2011. The power plant has an output capacity of 20 megawatt (MW).

President Director of PGE Slamet Riadhy was quoted by Investor Daily as saying that the operation of PLTP Lahendong Unit 4 will increase the capacity of the Lahendong geothermal power plant to 80 MW from 60 MW at present.

?After Lahendong Unit 4 operates, we will soon develop PLTP Lahendong Unit 5 and 6 with capacity of 2x20 MW,? Slamet said.

The drilling of exploration wells to support the PLTP Lahendong Unit 5 and 6 have been done since October 2008. The unit 5 and 6 of the geothermal power plant is targeted to commence operation in 2013, he said.

Slamet said geothermal resources in the North Sulawesi geothermal project are located in three locations, namely Lahendong, Lahendong Selatan (Tompaso) and Kotamobagu. PGE plans to develop PLTU Lahendong Unit 7 and 8 in Kotamobagu with capacity of 2x20 MW in 2014. Kotamobagu geothermal resources is estimated to have potential capacity of 180 MW. (*)