TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government of West Sumatra will accelerate the development of new and renewable energy. West Sumatra Governor Irwan Prayitno said that the acceleration is aimed at optimizing the province's energy potential.

"We can see there is a large geothermal potential in West Sumatra. The province has 16 geothermal points with a potential of 1,685 MW. Yesterday, Supreme Energy in Muaralaboh obtained 50 Megawatt just from drilling one well," Irwan said during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Acceleration of New and Renewable Energy Development with the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry in Jakarta, Tuesday, May 7.

With the MoU signed, the West Sumatra government expects help and support from the central government to invite investors in the development of new and renewable energy in the province. Director General of New Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation, Rida Mulyana, said that the MoU could be realized immediately.

Irwan added that West Sumatra's electricity demand, which amounts to 400 MW, has already been met. However, the provincial government will continue to increase the supply of new and renewable energy to anticipate higher need for electricity following the flow of investment to West Sumatra. Irwan hopes that the province's abundant energy supply can be distributed to other areas in Indonesia.

BERNADETTE CHRISTINA