TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia has a large potential for new and renewable energy that surpasses 443 gigawatts (GW).

Renewable energy is energy that is sourced from nature, such as sunlight, wind, rain, geothermal, and biomass.

Citing ftmm.unair.ac.id website, there are five energy potentials that are popular in Indonesia, namely solar power energy, water power energy, wind power energy, biomass power energy, and micro hydropower potential.

Solar power energy is the highest; at least 50 percent of the total renewable energy is solar power energy. This is due to Indonesia's geographic location that lies near the equator.

1. Solar Energy

There are two ways in utilizing solar power energy in Indonesia. The first is light utilization which uses photovoltaic power plant technology, and the second one is heat utilization which uses the technology of concentrated solar power plants.

2. Micro-hydro and Water Energies

Microhydro energy that is sourced from mountain water sources also has great potential in Indonesia. The utilization of this energy can be used in the systems of the Mini Energy Power Plant (PLTM) and Microhydro Energy Power Plant (PLTMH).

In addition, Indonesia has water energy that is used for Water Power Plants (PLTA).

3. Wind Energy

The highest potential of wind energy can be found in East Nusa Tenggara Potensi (NTT), which is used in the Wind Power Plant (PLTB). It has two types of turbines, namely the horizontal axis and the vertical axis.

Citing greeneration.org, the Indonesian government is targeting to develop the capacity of a Wind Power Plant (PLTB) up to 255 MW in 2025. Indonesia has Sidrap PLTB in South Sulawesi which has 30 windmills that produce 75 Mega Watt power.

The electricity is obtained from the wind that moves the turbines stably and quickly. This produces a rotation that drives a generator which functions to convert motion energy into electrical energy. The generated electrical energy is then channeled to consumers via transmission.

4. Biomass Energy

Biomass potential in Indonesia comes from wastes of plantation and agriculture, such as chocolate, coffee, rice, palm oil, and acacia. Biomass energy is used in Biomass Power Plant (PLTBm) system.

RINDI ARISKA