Geothermal power could end blackouts

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Sukabumi

The Indonesian Geothermal Association (API) said on Tuesday geothermal power plants would produce more than 400 Megawatts (MW) in additional electricity power until 2005 to help avoid the imminent power crisis in the country.

API chairman Herman Darnel Ibrahim said the additional power would be generated from existing plants and development of new power plants.

According to Herman, at present, all seven operating geothermal power plants in the country have produced power about 800 MW.

Herman said that five new geothermal power plants would be developed in Java, Bali, Sumatra and Sulawesi in the future.

The government is under pressure to develop more power plants to avoid power blackouts particularly in Java and Bali, in 2004.

But the state-owned electricity company PLN said that the power crisis could be avoided if the Tanjung Jati B power plant in Central Java and the Muara Karang power plant in Jakarta could start producing power.

Herman also noted the importance of the development of geothermal power plants as they are environmental friendly and could generate revenue for the government.

"Geothermal power plant is very environmental friendly as it can reduce carbon emission."

"Referring to the Kyoto Protocol, our country can sell the carbon emission reduction to advanced countries that cannot reduce their carbon emission," he said.

Herman said for example a 330 MW geothermal power plant could save about 2.6 million tons of carbon emission in a year.

Therefore, he expected the government to pay more attention to the development of geothermal power plants.