South Sumatra will soon auction Ranau geothermal field

The provincial administration of South Sumatra will soon open a tender for the development of Ranau geothermal field in South Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU) regency, Bisnis Indonesia reported on Saturday.

Robert Heri, the head of the province?s mining division, said in Palembang that the Ranau geothermal field was estimated to have capacity to produce 2 x 5 megawatt of electricity. ?Generally, geothermal projects in South Sumatra run smoothly. Normally, investor can begin exploration eight months after the tender,? he added.

Robert said that the local government recently awarded PT Supreme Energy the rights to develop the Rantau geothermal field in Muara Enim regency, which is estimated to have capacity to produce 225 MW of electricity. At present, the company was conducting exploration activities, which would last between 2 and 3 years, he added.

According to him, there are at least six geothermal fields in South Sumatra, mostly located along the Bukit Barisan mountain range. They include Lumut Balai field in Muara Enim regency and Ulu Danau in South OKU. (*)