THE POTENTIAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS OF GEOTHERMAL DIRECTUSE ON MATALOKO, FLORES ISLAND, NUSA TENGGARA TIMUR, INDONESIA

Abstract

Geothermal heat is naturally generated deep below the earth’s surface and is one of the world’s largest sources of continuous renewable energy. The most prevalent application of high geothermal temperature is used for power generation. Apart from electricity
generation, geothermal energy can be utilized for direct use applications, such as room heating or cooling, drying, agriculture, aquaculture, and tourism.
Indonesia has the most extensive geothermal potential in the world, estimated at 29,000 MW. About 800 MW of that potential is located in Flores Island, Nusa Tenggara Timur. Therefore, in 2017, the Government of Indonesia designated Flores Island as a
geothermal island (Flores Geothermal Island) to optimize the use of its geothermal energy as an electricity and non-electricity source.
This research aims to achieve a deeper understanding of geothermal direct-use application and how it would impact the people socially and economically in the area of Mataloko, Flores Island, Nusa Tenggara Timur. The paper also investigates the current local
commodities and demographic conditions in Mataloko. The research of geothermal direct-use application, specifically on Flores Island, has been limited. Thus, this paper intends to fill the gaps in this field and can be utilized to improve the socioeconomic welfare
on Mataloko and other regions in Indonesia.