Renewable energy development urged<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto called for the development of
\nrenewable energy resources yesterday to meet increasing demand
\nfor electricity.<\/p>\n
In his speech at the opening of an Asia-Pacific conference on
\nrenewable energy and energy efficiency at the State Palace, the
\nPresident said the development of renewable energy resources was
\nessential because current resources could be depleted by the
\nmiddle of the next century.<\/p>\n
\"In the 21st century, Indonesia's need for electricity will
\nreach 28,000 megawatts (MW), based on the rate of demand for
\nelectricity with an average rise of 13.8 percent annually,\"
\nSoeharto said.<\/p>\n
State and private sectors can only provide 21,500 MW at
\npresent.<\/p>\n
The President pointed out that the current capacity of
\ngeothermal electric power at 300 MW was very small compared to
\nthe country's geothermal reserves of about 19,000 MW.<\/p>\n
\"Geothermal energy is one of the primary sources of power in
\nIndonesia,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Soeharto said energy needs of the Asia-Pacific region were
\nalso constantly on the rise while crude oil reserves were very
\nlimited and exhaustible.<\/p>\n
\"This is the reason why it is extremely important to utilize
\nnew and renewable energy resources for the development of the
\nregion in years to come,\" he remarked.<\/p>\n
Indonesia produced 1.61 million barrels of crude oil per day
\nin 1996, and 8.18 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.<\/p>\n
The President also pointed out another potential energy source
\nthat could be widely used -- hydropower -- as there was the
\npotential to produce 75,000 MW of hydropower. Only about 2,200 MW
\nof this energy source was used.<\/p>\n
\"Another major potential source that will be developed is the
\nMamberamo river in Irian Jaya. This river has the potential to
\ngenerate up to 15,000 MW of power,\" Soeharto said.<\/p>\n
State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie said
\nlast year that the proposed project would include the creation of
\nrice fields along the river and the building of dams for power
\nprojects and irrigation purposes. An industrial project would be
\nset up downstream.<\/p>\n
\"The Mamberamo project will provide rice fields with fertile
\nsoil the size of Java,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The Mamberamo integrated project would cost three times more
\nthan the US$40 billion Natuna gas project in Riau, Habibie said.<\/p>\n
\"Energy plays such a pivotal role in a nation's life that it
\ncan strongly bind nations with cooperation. On the contrary, it
\ncan also become the source of international conflict,\" Soeharto
\nwarned. (prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/renewable-energy-development-urged-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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