Geothermal development in Gunung Lawu, Indonesia to be terminated

Gunung Lawu, East Java, Indonesia (source: flickr/ Ridho Akbar Mauludi, creative commons)

The geothermal project in Gunung Lawu in Java, Indonesia has been canceled. This is according to a notification letter sent by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) and confirmed by Regent Juliyatmono of Karanganyar.

The tender for the Gunung Lawu geothermal project was won by PT Pertamina Geothermal (PGE) back in 2016, as we reported. The site had an estimated potential capacity of 165 MW. An update by PGE in early 2021 indicated that they have not received approval from the local government to develop the area.

The identification of Lawu as a nature reserve area, as well as the presence of ancient temples in the mountain, also made development impossible under the current regulations. At that time, PGE stated that the development plans for Lawu were under company review.

With the most recent update, it appears that many of the issues encountered by PGE were not resolved. As explained by Regent Juliyatmono, there are “no more contracts for the development of geothermal or PLTP (power plant) on Gunung Lawu.” Aan Shopuanudin, the coordinator of the #JagaLawu movement, has indicated that their party will continue to oppose any plans for major development in Lawu.

Source: Radar Solo