Star Energy plans to build two new geothermal plants

Star Energy is planning to build two additional geothermal power plants one in North Halmahera, North Maluku Province, and another in Pengalengan, West Java, where a recent landslide incident reportedly killed seven.

Kontan quoted Star Energy CEO Rudi Suparman as saying Monday that the company has conducted feasibility study for the projects, and hopes that government approval can be issued soon to start the construction of a third unit in the Wayang Windu geothermal complex in Pengalengan.

Star Energy currently operates two geothermal power plans with combined capacity of 227 MW at the Wayang Windu complex. The company plans to build a third unit with capacity of 60 MW.

Total investment for the project is estimated at between US$240 million and $300 million.

A landslide incident occurred in Pengalengan earlier this month, causing some geothermal pipes at the Wayang Windu project to break, and resulted in explosion.

While Rudi seems to be quite optimistic about the timeline and investment for the Wayang Windu third unit project, he is less certain as to when the second unit in North Maluku would be realized. The company currently operates the 10 MW Jailolo geothermal power plant in West Halmahera. Star Energy plans to build a second unit in North Halmahera. No further details were provided. (*)