State-owned electricity company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) plans to build a geothermal power plant (PLTP) with a capacity of 40 megawatts (MW). The project is part of the 2025–2034 Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL) set to be finalized in April 2025. 

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia stated that the government is seeking a middle ground between reducing carbon emissions and Indonesia's economic capabilities. He emphasized the geothermal potential in Ambon, noting that Maluku Province has a 40 MW capacity that should be developed soon. 

“We have included this [geothermal potential in Ambon] in the draft of the 2025–2034 RUPTL,” he said, as quoted by Antara News on Thursday, April 10. 

Meanwhile, Director General of New, Renewable Energy, and Energy Conservation (EBTKE) Professor Eniya Listiani Dewi added that PLN will be responsible for building the geothermal power plant in Ambon, with three planned locations for the project. 

“There will be one with a capacity of 20 MW, another 20 MW, and one with 25 MW,” she explained. 

In the first phase, a 40 MW PLTP will be constructed, while the remaining 25 MW represents a potential resource for future development. 

“So in total, it’s 65 MW, but only 40 MW will be developed. The 25 MW potential is not yet planned for development,” Professor Eniya added. 

The geothermal projects in Maluku Province include the 20 MW Wapsalit PLTP on Buru Island and the 2x10 MW Tulehu PLTP on Ambon Island. The Wapsalit PLTP is currently in the exploration stage by a private developer and is expected to commence commercial operations (Commercial Operation Date/COD) in 2028. 

Meanwhile, the Tulehu PLTP (2x10 MW) is in the procurement phase by PLN and is targeted to achieve COD in 2031. 

Additionally, there is geothermal potential in Banda Baru on Seram Island, which could be developed into a 25 MW PLTP based on surveys by the Geological Agency. This project will be offered in a market sounding by the EBTKE Directorate General in April 2025. 

This article is published in partnership with Katadata 

Original article here