By Romel Gurky
State-owned energy firm PT Pertamina (Persero) is considering participation in the ongoing limited tender for the Wapsalit geothermal field located in Buru Island, Maluku Province.
“The limited tender for Wapsalit, based on PSPE results, is still ongoing. Ormat has already submitted its proposal. However, in accordance with current regulations, state-owned enterprises (BUMNs) have the right to participate in such tenders. We’ve heard that Pertamina is interested, especially given the successful exploratory wells,” a source from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources told Petromindo.com on Wednesday.
Read also: Wapsalit geothermal tender reaches final round
The Wapsalit concession is being tendered under a scheme designed for geothermal fields with prior PSPE (Preliminary Survey and Exploration Permit) activities. Participation in the tender is restricted to the PSPE executor and state-owned enterprises (BUMN).
The source added that decisions from SOEs, including Pertamina, about participating in the tender are expected by mid-January 2025.
In early 2020, PT Ormat Geothermal Indonesia was officially appointed to conduct PSPE activities for the Wapsalit concession. The PSPE license is valid for up to three years and is extendable for two additional years.
According to a preliminary study by the Geological Agency, the 604.9 square-kilometer Wapsalit area in Buru Regency has an estimated geothermal potential of 26 MW, with plans to develop a 20 MW geothermal power plant.
Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak
