The Central Java Provincial Government has confirmed that the planned\ngeothermal exploration in the Mount Ungaran area, located in Semarang\nRegency and on the border of Kendal, will undergo a strict licensing\nprocess.<\/p>\n
Dwi Suryono, Head of the New and Renewable Energy Division at the\nCentral Java Energy and Mineral Resources Office, urged local residents\non Wednesday in Semarang not to worry about the planned construction of\nthe geothermal power plant.<\/p>\n
Responding to public concerns regarding operational resilience and\nthe environmental impact of the geothermal project, he provided\nreassurance through a historical analogy as well as the provision of a\nformal dialogue forum.<\/p>\n
He cited the Kamojang geothermal power plant in West Java, which has\nbeen operating safely since 1926 and is approaching its 100th year,\ndemonstrating that geothermal technology is proven to be sustainable\nwithout causing significant problems when properly managed.<\/p>\n
He said the licensing for the Mount Ungaran geothermal project is\nclearly strict, covering everything from environmental permits to public\nhearings involving local communities.<\/p>\n
The issuance of Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Decree\nNumber 134.TK\/EK.04\/MEMBPE\/2026 marks the beginning of a long series of\npreparatory stages, requiring an estimated investment of US$300\nmillion.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis exploration is part of proving the indirect studies. Whether\nthere really is geothermal potential beneath the surface needs to be\nconfirmed through drilling to depths of 1,900 to 2,200 metres,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
If steam or heat is not found, he said, the exploration will\nnaturally be concluded and the project will shift to other prospective\nlocations.<\/p>\n
He also stressed that the exploration permit area of 29,800 hectares\nwill not be used entirely for the geothermal plant site, as site\nselection will focus on potential points supported by infrastructure\nreadiness.<\/p>\n
Regarding the distribution of the area, he said the majority of the\nconcession area lies within Semarang Regency, while the remainder is in\nthe mountainous border area of Kendal Regency.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, he said that land use across the 29,800-hectare area\nserves as a search space for prospective points, while the physical\nconstruction will ultimately occupy only a small portion of the total\narea.<\/p>\n
As for when the project will commence, he explained that the 2026 to\n2029 phase involves permit processing, after which drilling activities\nwill begin in late 2028 or 2029.<\/p>\n
If sufficient heat is found to generate electricity from geothermal\nsources, he said, the infrastructure will then be built.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn 2031 it will be launched or reach its commercial operation date,\nmeaning it will be operational in 2031,\u201d he said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/central-java-government-mount-ungaran-geothermal-exploration-to-undergo-strict-permitting-1787756046", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }