Indonesia continues research on small-scale geothermal plants

Small-scale low-temperature pilot plant by Duerr, a GFZ pilot project at Lahendong, Indonesia (source: Stefan Kranz, GFZ)

The government of Indonesia continues research on small-scale geothermal power plants, as part of its overall commitment to geothermal and renewable energy development in the country.

“We are developing a small-scale PLTP which hopefully can be developed in various areas with geothermal content,” said Minister of Research and Technology Bambang Brodjonegoro after the plenary session of the National Energy Council at the State Palace, Jakarta, this week.

Bambang said, Indonesia is one of the countries that has the largest geothermal resource potential in the world.

However, the development of PLTP is hampered because the scale is too large.

“Maybe on the scale of the plant, if it is too large, it will cost a very expensive investment,” he said. Therefore, with a small scale, the development of PLTP is expected to be successful and the results can be immediately felt by the community.

“So that the electricity generated will be beneficial for the surrounding area,” said Bambang.

There have been report on various efforts on smaller-scale development, e.g. with slim-well drilling and related smaller geothermal power plants.

Source: Kompas