Bahlil Issues Geothermal Utilisation Permit for Mount Ungaran, Exploration Area Covers 29,800 Hectares

Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Minister Bahlil Lahadalia has issued a permit for the utilisation of geothermal energy in the Mount Ungaran working area, Central Java. The land to be explored covers 29,800 hectares.

Head of the New Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Division at the Central Java ESDM Office, Dwi Suryono, said the exploration and geothermal utilisation permit for the Mount Ungaran Geothermal Working Area (WKP) is stipulated in ESDM Ministerial Decree Number 134.TK/EL.04/MEMBPE/2026. The geothermal business permit has been granted or delegated to PT PLN (Persero).

The ministerial decree was issued in March 2026. Subsequently, in June 2026, a Risk-Based Business Licence was also issued through the Online Single Submission (OSS) system.

“Indeed, the permit has been issued to explore the geothermal potential in the Mount Ungaran WKP, covering approximately 29,800 hectares, which administratively lies in Semarang Regency and Kendal Regency,” Dwi said in an interview in Semarang on Wednesday (26/8/2026).

Although the permit has been issued, Dwi noted that PLN cannot immediately commence exploration. PLN must first obtain a Spatial Utilisation Activity Suitability Approval (PKKPR).

“Meanwhile, if it is in a forest area, there must of course be a Forest Area Use Approval (PPKH),” he said.

“Of course, the most important thing is the environmental permit, and this phase is quite lengthy. There will be a forum in the environmental permit process that will invite all stakeholders, including policymakers, the community, NGOs, and others, to provide suggestions and input regarding the activity,” Dwi added.