TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice President Jusuf Kalla stated that Indonesia has already operated a geothermal power plant (PLTP) since 35 years ago in Kamojang, Garut, West Java. This means, Kalla added, geothermal is not new energy used to generate electricity in the country. However, the plant sustained sluggish development.

“Kamojang PLTP started the operation 35 years ago, followed by Dieng and Lahendong in Manado. All power plants have been operating for dozens of years. And even though this conference has been held several times, the progress is really slow,” said the VP before opening the 7th Indonesia International Geothermal Convention and Exhibition (IIGCE) in Jakarta Convention Center, Tuesday, August 13.

Jusuf Kalla opined the development of the renewable power plant is necessary in order to produce electricity from clean energy. Unfortunately, its development tends to sluggish as it only produced electricity up to 1,948.5 megawatts.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, Arcandra Tahar, hoped the current usage of geothermal for power plants could be maintained in the future. Therefore, it requires support from the government and the public as well.

“We can revive it, so geothermal can be the energy of yesterday, today, and tomorrow,” Tahar said.

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