A Review of the Gunung Salak Geothermal Expansion Project

Abstract

In December 1997, Unocal Geothermal of Indonesia, partnership with PT Nusamba Geothermal, and PT PLN (Persero), completed the first private geothermal power buildoperate- transfer (BOT) project in Indonesia. Unocal installed three 55 and PLN installed one 55 Power Generation Facilities (PGF) to the total power generation at to 330 making the largest geothermal project in Indonesia. UGI also expanded the Resource Production Facilities (RPF) to increase steam delivery for six units. The project challenges included handling a liquiddominated resource, environmentally sensitive protected forest, difficult surface conditions, and coordinating on-going power generation operations and a three rig drilling program with new construction efforts. Unocalís power plants feature three identical Fuji turbines and generators, shell and tube surface condensers, concrete cross-flow air-induced cooling towers, and a hybrid gas removal system. Drilling, engineering, procurement and construction were accomplished within 28 months. Plant operators were locally hired and trained within the construction period, and are now operating all the project facilities. The plants have been generating at demand with up to 340 capacity since start-up.