PLTP Ungaran to start operation in 2018

By Hiski Darmayana

State utility PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) has targeted to start the commercial operation of the geothermal power plant (PLTP) Ungaran in Semarang regency of Central Java province in 2018.

Its developer PT Giri Indah Sejahtera is now in a process of negotiating the energy sales contract (ESC) with the government.

?The developer is also conducting a survey of Geological & Geophysical (G&G) and it has got a letter of assignment from the local government,? said Anang Yahmadi, Senior Manager of Geothermal with PLN New and Renewable Energy Division, in Jakarta over the weekend.

He said that the price agreed by the developer with the government was at 8.09 US cents per kilowatt hour (kWh).

Part of the government?s second fast track of 10,000 megawatt (MW) power development, the 1 x 55 MW geothermal project will need an investment of Rp 3 trillion, and is expected to meet the electricity need of Central Java region.

Editing by Benget Besalicto Tnb.