Semarang (ANTARA) - Environmental science expert Professor Sudharto\nP. Hadi has emphasised that the initiators of the Gunung Ungaran\nGeothermal Power Plant (PLTP) project and the government must be\ntransparent with the public.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe initiators and the government must be open. What are the impacts\nof geothermal energy? Furthermore, the community must also be able to\nvoice their grievances,\u201d he stated when confirmed in Semarang on\nFriday.<\/p>\n
According to him, there are public concerns that the Gunung Unglaran\nPLTP project will disrupt local lives, damage agricultural land, and\naffect cultural heritage sites.<\/p>\n
He acknowledged that while the potential for geothermal energy is\nvast and relatively environmentally friendly compared to other energy\nsources, these resources are often located within conservation forest\nareas.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor example, in Bedugul, Bali. The Balinese community rejected it\nbecause it is located in a conservation forest, even in areas they\ntraditionally protect. That is the challenge,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Similarly, for the Gunung Ungaran PLTP, which spans Semarang and\nKendal Regencies, local residents have expressed opposition due to fears\nof environmental degradation and damage to cultural heritage sites.<\/p>\n
He stated that the community\u2019s concerns regarding the negative\nimpacts of the project must be respected and addressed through\ntransparency to alleviate public anxiety.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, when there is a project where the community is worried or\nfearful, we must respect that. The government must be open. Regarding\ngeothermal energy like this, the capacity, the turbines, and the\nimpacts\u2014everything must be transparent,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The former Rector of Diponegoro University, Semarang, reminded that\nIndonesia has a history of critical development projects, such as the\nKedungombo Dam, the cement factory in Rembang, and the Batang Coal-Fired\nPower Plant.<\/p>\n
\u201cTherefore, we must be careful; we must learn from those instances.\nTransparency is the key. Transparency and participation may come at a\nhigh cost, but in the long run, the sustainability of the project will\nbe more guaranteed,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
This is because, he argued, the interests of the community will be\naccommodated, and when they participate in the process, they feel like\npart of the decision-making process.<\/p>\n
He noted that reform demands transparency and accountability, as\nthese are essential, and that the space for participation should be\nbroad.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, it should not just be about providing space. If it is only\nabout space, it remains a mere procedure. It must reach the level of\nsubstance. This means that the opinions, aspirations, and suggestions\nfrom the community must be accommodated in decision-making, provided\nthey are relevant,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The development of geothermal energy through the Gunung Ungaran PLTP\nproject previously faced public opposition, with several petitions\ngathering thousands of signatures.<\/p>\n
The rejection stems from the project\u2019s location near the Gedong Songo\nTemple cultural site in Semarang Regency, leading to fears of adverse\nenvironmental impacts on the surrounding area.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/expert-gunung-ungaran-geothermal-project-must-ensure-transparency-1789747240", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }