Evaluasi Status Pengembangan Lapangan Panas Bumi Indonesia

Abstract

As cited in UU no.27 year of 2003, geothermal development activities is categorized as a mining activity. The Minister of Forestry permitted mining activities only in Production Forest areas whereas in fact, majority of geothermal energy resources which is estimated up to 70% are located in volcanic areas and part of Conservation Forest areas which strictly restricted. Exploration of geothermal resource actually is not an open cast mining activity, yet it is underground mining activity. Geothermal energy is extracted, generated then recycled back to the reservoir without any significant negative impacts and causes no long term damage to the environment. It is categorized as a renewable and sustainable energy. To ensure sustainability of this energy, geothermal producers will strictly conserved the forest in their working area. Recharge area would be a big concern where the fluid to produce is highly depend on this area. Indonesian government must have another point of view concerning geothermal energy exploitation. Geothermal energy is one of strategic important activities that have significant impact in electricity supply. A Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry of Forestry and Ministry of Energi and Mineral Resources have clarified the status of 28 geothermal fields. The aim of this MoU is to encourage investor and to boost up geothermal development in Indonesia. Understanding obstacle is a must in order to assist geothermal development.