Flores to have geothermal power plant in five year

Larantuka, Flores (AntaraNews NTT) - Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara, with abundant resources in the region, will have its geothermal power plant in the next five to seven years, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan stated here, Saturday (31/3).

"Currently, the construction of the geothermal power plant projects is ongoing in some locations in Flores Island. If these could run as scheduled, within the next five to seven years, Flores will have its own geothermal power plant," Jonan noted.

The minister had earlier celebrated Good Friday in Larantuka, East Flores District. 
Based on a geological study, Flores Island has abundant resources of geothermal energy, Jonan remarked.

Hence, the ministry has tasked the state-owned electricity firm PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) to develop geothermal power plants, including one in Mataloko, Ngada District.

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"In Mataloko, we have an abandoned project (of geothermal power plant), but now, the drilling and other activities have been restarted," he pointed out.

According to data of PT PLN for the East Nusa Tenggara area, the Mataloko geothermal project will have the capacity to produce 20 megawatts (MW) of energy.

Flores Island has a potential capacity of 115 MW of geothermal energy, with its resources located in Waisano in West Manggarai District, with 10 MW; Ulumbu and Lesugolo in Manggarai District, 45 MW; Mataloko in Ngada District, 20 MW; Sokaria in Ende District, 30 MW; and Oka Ile Ange in East Flores District, 10 MW.

"We hope that it would run smoothly. I have received reports that for now, the power plant development projects are running according to schedule," he added.

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