Capacity Building in the Geothermal Sector in Indonesia, a Unique Collaboration

Abstract

Prior to WGC 2010 in Bali, the President of the Republic of Indonesia, issued decree no. 04/2010 in January 2010 to establish the 2nd phase fast track development program, to construct another 10,000 MW of electricity generation capacity to support the burgeoning growth of the Indonesian nation. The President specifically defined that 49 % of this capacity, or 4,900MWe, must be produced from Indonesia’s vast geothermal resources, to support his commitment to move forward with programs to mitigate climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Since, in the previous 30 year period in Indonesia, only approximately 1,200MWe of geothermal capacity had been implemented, this meant that there was need for dramatic change to the approach to development. A major aspect which had was not been addressed was that, in order to achieve such a dramatic increase in geothermal generation capacity, there was need for a huge increase in geothermal human resources of all disciplines, but notably in geology, geophysics, and geochemistry to support the vision. Star Energy, the operator of the Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Plant in West Java, a Joint Operating Contract with Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE), saw an opportunity, and took the initiative to collaborate with Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) and the University of Southern California (USC) to create a program to build the needed geothermal educational capacity. Funding to support the program was requested in a formal submission to USAID, who contributed approximately $600,000, with Star Energy providing support funding of US$ 200, 000, and a two year program was commenced in January 2012. A major tenet of the program was to establish an Advisory Board made up of representatives from industries directly involved in the geothermal business, to ensure that the program was effectively focused on meeting the Geothermal business sector’s requirements. The success of the program, which amongst other aspects, has established a successful Masters program specializing in geothermal technology, has let to its extension into 2014 and beyond, with many new initiatives proposed. The paper is intended to share the capacity building program and its collaboration with industry and other universities throughout Indonesia, and how it has stimulated a much needed increase in geothermal specialization.