Pertamina Geothermal eyeing production of green hydrogen

Ulubelu geothermal area, Lampung, Indonesia (source: Pertamina Geothermal Energy)

Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE) is starting to seriously look into the green hydrogen development in Indonesia, so a report by Kata Data. To realize this ambition, PGE needs an initial investment of around US $ 5 million or Rp 71.8 billion.

PGE President Director Ahmad Yurniarto stated that the company’s seriousness in developing green hydrogen will begin this year. Hydrogen development is planned to be implemented in the company’s existing geothermal working area (WKP).

However, the estimated investment costs only cover the upstream side. With the calculation of green hydrogen production reaches 100 kg per day. “The range is between US $ 3-5 million. This is only from the upstream side. We also look at the transportation and storage side ,” he said in an interview this week.

Currently the company is also coordinating with several related ministries for the utilization of green hydrogen. In addition, the company is also looking for strategic partners to run this business. This is because, from an economic point of view, the production cost of green hydrogen is still relatively expensive compared to other types of hydrogen.

However, he is optimistic that the production cost of green hydrogen will be cheap as technology develops. Moreover, the market potential for green hydrogen worldwide is quite large. Given that all countries are starting to focus on efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“We believe the demand, the need for clean energy , carbon neutral energy will be even higher, specifically for hydrogen and specifically green hydrogen will increase,” he said.

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) also disclosed a plan to develop clean energy sources of hydrogen. This is to boost the energy transition from fossil fuels to new energy sources that are environmentally friendly.

The Director General of Electricity, Rida Mulyana, said that hydrogen is the main key in the development of future energy systems. However, until now, its development in Indonesia is still at the research stage. “For now, the development of hydrogen in Indonesia is still in the research stage and does not have access on a commercial scale,” said Rida.

Source: Kata Data