Academics: Gunung Ungaran Geothermal Power Plant Boosts Economy and Environmental Quality

A geological engineering academic from Diponegoro University (UNDIP), Yoga Aribowo, believes that the development of the Gunung Ungaran Geothermal Power Plant (PLTP) in Central Java has the potential to benefit environmental quality while opening up economic opportunities for the surrounding community.

“If the proportion of geothermal power increases, it will certainly contribute positively to environmental quality, including air, sea, and water,” Yoga stated in a briefing in Jakarta on Saturday.

According to him, geothermal energy has relatively low emissions. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from geothermal power plants are estimated at approximately 100 grams per kilowatt hour (kWh), while hydrogen sulphide (H2S) emissions are less than 1 gram per kWh.

He explained that geothermal energy utilises steam and hot water stored in reservoirs thousands of metres below the earth’s surface. This water is part of the geothermal reservoir system and is not the shallow groundwater used for wells. After being utilised, the geothermal fluid is returned to the reservoir through a reinjection process.

In its utilisation, the water that has been used is subsequently returned to the subsurface layers via reinjection, ensuring that geothermal resources can be managed sustainably.

In addition to environmental benefits, Yoga believes that geothermal development can also provide an economic impact for the local community. The presence of project activities has the potential to create jobs, both directly and indirectly, and to encourage various supporting economic activities around the development area.

According to him, these opportunities can be felt through the growth of community businesses such as eateries, shops, transport services, and boarding houses that serve the needs of workers and project activities.

Thus, the benefits of geothermal development are not only related to energy provision but can also create new economic circulation involving the communities around the operational areas.

“These opportunities can also serve as part of a social contribution through corporate social responsibility programmes,” he added.