Mount Ungaran Geothermal Project Faces Public Protest, Luthfi: No One Wants to Make the People Suffer

SEMARANG — Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi has said a persuasive approach is needed in response to rejection of the planned geothermal energy project on Mount Ungaran. Nevertheless, he stressed that, in principle, the government would not make the people suffer.

Luthfi revealed that although the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has issued exploration and geothermal utilisation permits for the Mount Ungaran Geothermal Working Area (WKP) to PT PLN (Persero), implementation of the project still requires several additional permits.

“So it is still in process. This means that although the ESDM Ministry has granted the permit to PLN, many requirements have yet to be fulfilled. For example, there is the environmental impact assessment (AMDAL) permit, and socialisation with the community — there is a lot we still have to go through,” he said in an interview at the Central Java Provincial Office in Semarang on Tuesday (8/9/2026).

“But the principle is that none of our governments would make the people suffer,” Luthfi added.

Nevertheless, he considered that a persuasive approach from public officials is needed in response to the rejection of the Mount Ungaran geothermal project by some members of the public. “Socialisation with PLN is the remit of the regencies and cities. We will provide back-up,” Luthfi said.

According to Luthfi, the Central Java Provincial Government will be involved in the bridging process. “Later our ESDM Agency will go down there,” he said.

The planned geothermal project on Mount Ungaran has drawn rejection from a number of parties. The area to be explored in the project covers almost 30,000 hectares, and drilling points could reach depths of around 2,000 metres.

More than 8,800 people have signed a petition on the change.org website rejecting the Mount Ungaran geothermal project. The petition was launched by Heru P on 27 August 2026. Based on Republika’s monitoring on Tuesday (8/9/2026), the petition had been signed by 8,855 residents. In the petition, Heru described himself as a citizen who cares about the environment, water sources and the future of Mount Ungaran.

Heru said that for people living nearby, Mount Ungaran is not merely a mountain. “Mount Ungaran is a source of life. Its water is needed for daily needs, agriculture and the lives of people on its slopes and in surrounding areas. That is why we reject the planned geothermal drilling activities on Mount Ungaran,” Heru said.