Pertamina and BPPT explore small-scale pilot at Kamojang

Well of Pertamina at Kamojang, Indonesia (source: ThinkGeoEnergy, creative commons)

PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PT PGE) and the Agency for Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the feasibility of putting up a 3-MW small-scale geothermal power plant in Kamojang, Bandung Regency, West Java in Indonesia.

According to PGE Director of Exploration and Development Tafif Azimudin, developing small-scale geothermal plants will help in achieving the desired energy mix as prescribed by the government’s General Electricity Plan (RUKL). It will also provide a boost to the Domestic Component Level (TKDN) of Kamojang and entice more investment in the region’s manufacturing industry.

Once the 3-MW facility has been completed, it will be connected to the 20 kV distribution line owned by PT PLN (Persero). The power plant will also serve as a research and training facility, with the ultimate goal of making the Kamojang geothermal facility a “Geothermal Center of Excellence.”

The Kamojang geothermal field consists of five units with a total capacity of 235 MW. Units IV and V, with a total capacity of 95 MW, are operated by PGE. The rest are operated by Indonesia Power, a subsidiary of PT PLN. Earlier this year, we reported on the “Geothermal Potato” program by PGE which uses geothermal heat to sterilize the cocopeat material used as growing medium for potatoes.

Source: SWA