Student Group Criticises North Maluku Government's Openness to Geothermal Investment

The Sema-Habar Halmahera Barat student organisation in Ternate has criticised the North Maluku provincial government for what it sees as an overly open attitude towards geothermal investment in the Talaga Rano Geothermal Working Area. The student group argues that the government should ensure transparent environmental studies and community involvement before endorsing the project’s development. Sema-Habar Chairman Riwan Basir stated that attention to geothermal investment should not focus solely on economic potential, but must also consider ecological and social impacts. He noted that Ormat Technologies, Inc., the company that won the Talaga Rano WKP tender, is an Israel-based geothermal technology provider. In Indonesia, Ormat has investments in the Sarulla project in North Sumatra and the Ijen project in East Java, with a recorded value of approximately USD 144.6 million by the end of 2024. Riwan said the scale of this investment shows Indonesia is an important part of the company’s global business strategy. However, he cautioned that the regional government should not only focus on attracting investors. ‘Do not let West Halmahera follow the path of industrial areas in Central and East Halmahera that are now facing environmental pressures due to industrialisation,’ Riwan said. Sema-Habar also highlighted a statement by North Maluku Vice Governor Sarbin Sehe, who said during a recent focus group discussion that the provincial government is committed to providing space for investors as long as they comply with applicable regulations. The Vice Governor also reminded developers to maintain environmental sustainability and involve local communities at every stage of the project. ‘Do not let the community feel alien in their own land. Involve them and give the local people a role in the future of this investment,’ Sarbin said. The student organisation urged the government to ensure that such commitments are proven through transparent environmental studies and genuine community participation before the project moves forward. It also asked the government to consider developing other renewable energy sources, such as solar power plants and micro-hydro, which it considers more suitable for the characteristics of the West Halmahera region and carry lower environmental risks.