By Nova Farida
Two geothermal power plant (PLTP) projects, namely PLTP Sokoria Unit 1 with capacity of 5 MW, and PLTP Muara Laboh Unit I with capacity of 55 MW are expected to start commercial operation in the second semester of this year, according to a senior government official.
“PLTP Sokoria was initially scheduled to start operation in 2018 but due to a number of obstacles including construction of transmission which had not been completed, it (the commercial operation) it’s been delayed to this year,” said Ida Nuryatin Finahari, Director of Geothermal at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, to Petromindo.com on Tuesday.
Independent power producer PT Sokoria Geothermal Indonesia is developing the PLTP Sokoria project in Ende Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, with estimated investment of US$22.5 million.
Meanwhile, PT Supreme Energy is developing the PLTP Muara Laboh in Solok Selatan Regency, West Sumatra Province, with estimated investment of $360 million.
“Hopefully, there will be (no more) obstacles so that they can start operation as scheduled,” Ida said.
Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak
