The
Most
Important
and
the
Most
Potential
Renewable Energy in Indonesia David Immanuel Sihombing Sandy Nur Ikfal Raharjo Delegation of Universitas Indonesia in WSES 2010
For recent years, Indonesia uses water power plant as the most important source of renewable energy to generate its electricity. Water power has been used for some reasons. First, Indonesian tropical climate and its archipelagic form makes high intensity of rain. Then, Indonesian topography which has been enriched by mountains on one side and plains on the other side, creating high stream rivers scattered all over Indonesian land. The combination of great supply of water from rain and high stream river topography creates big potential energy to generate electricity. This water power plant can be built in almost Indonesian land. This factor makes the distribution of electricity is easier. In addition, water power plant is relatively cheaper and more secure than others, e.g. geothermal and nuclear. Therefore, there is no need big investment to build it. Unfortunately, climate change that has affected Indonesian archipelago make the dependency on water power plan is risky. According to its tropical climate, Indonesia has rainy and dry seasons. Rainy season usually take place on October-May, while dry season is on JuneSeptember. But for at least three recent years, the period of seasons in Indonesia is unpredictable. Java Island may have rainy season for all the year round, while Nusa Tenggara have dry season for the same year. This condition make water supply for power plant is terrible. Those, Indonesia have to find others as the alternative, or even the substitution, energy for now and future. One of the most potential energy that can be found in Indonesia is geothermal power. Geographically, Indonesian archipelago is located on the volcanic zone. This condition makes the stream of geothermal heat flow can reach position that relatively near to the earth surface. Thus, Indonesia has 27 GWs potential of geothermal energy, made for 40% of world geothermal supply. Until 2007, Indonesia has just explored 1000 MWs or less than 3.7% of its potential. This number can increase since there is only 31% of Indonesian area that has been observed
intensively.1 However; there are some challenges to be faced in the effort of developing geothermal energy in Indonesia. First, production cost for exploring geothermal is very big. This cost is equivalent with the depth of the exploration. Whereas, more depth in exploration, more heat we can get. Moreover, the administration and license of exploration in Indonesia is quite complicated. Good governance has not been reached by Indonesian government. Those, more cost and more time to be spent for administration of exploration make big challenge for investment. Based on those challenged, it is very important for Indonesia to implement good governance as soon as possible. Hopefully, by the shortcut of administration in exploring geothermal energy, investment will increase significantly.
1
Citrosiswoyo, Wahyudi, Geothermal: Dapat Mengurangi Kebutuhan Bahan Bakar Fosil dalam Menyediakan Listrik Negara, (Surabaya: Pusat Studi Kebumian dan Bencana LPPM-ITS, 2008).