Pertamina Geothermal Targets Lumut Balai Unit 4 Geothermal Power Plant to Operate in 2032
PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk (PGE) targets the Lumut Balai Unit 4 Geothermal Power Plant with a capacity of 55 Megawatts (MW) in South Sumatra to achieve full commercial operation (commercial operation date/COD) in 2032.
PGE’s President Director Ahmad Yani stated that the completion of this project will bring the total capacity of the PGE Lumut Balai Area to 220 MW, including the addition of Lumut Balai Unit 3 in 2030.
“Through the development of the Lumut Balai Unit 4 project, PGE is not only focused on increasing installed capacity potential but also reflects the company’s commitment to ensuring the sustainability of clean energy supply while enhancing the reliability of the national geothermal portfolio,” he said in an official statement received in Jakarta on Friday.
He explained that the series of project developments will begin with infrastructure construction, exploration well drilling, production testing, up to the issuance of the Notice of Resource Confirmation (NORC), with a target completion in October 2027.
As an initial stage, the state-owned enterprise, which is also a subsidiary of PT Pertamina (Persero), will carry out the drilling of three exploration wells with an estimated investment of US$32.21 million.
“This project is an important part in supporting the achievement of the national energy mix targets and strengthening Indonesia’s contribution to realising Net Zero Emissions,” said Ahmad Yani.
PGE’s Director of Exploration and Development Edwil Suzandi stated that the drilling location is in a highly prospective geological area, located around the main upflow zone with high permeability characteristics.
He said that the latest geoscience studies and reservoir simulations also indicate that the existing reserves can support the additional development of 55 MW capacity at Lumut Balai Unit 4.
“With the support of this technical data, the future development of Lumut Balai Unit 4 is expected to proceed more directed, efficient, and with a more measurable success rate,” said Edwil Suzandi.
Meanwhile, PGE’s Operations Director Andi Joko Nugroho stated that the project will also contribute to the optimisation of overall geothermal working area management.
He revealed that the Lumut Balai Working Area (WKP) has a vast geothermal resource area, ranging from 22 to 66 square kilometres.
“The Lumut Balai Unit 4 project is a strategic step to increase proven reserves while ensuring the sustainability of the Lumut Balai WKP development. This exploration plays an important role in driving the realisation of the 1 Gigawatt (GW) development target as part of PGE’s expansion strategy,” added Andi Joko Nugroho.