Indonesia: Pertamina exploring development of tourism at geothermal sites

Indonesia: Pertamina exploring development of tourism at geothermal sites

A lot of most geothermal spots in the world are taboo for development of
power project, while in many spots of the world geothermal development
actually can create opportunities to develop tourism.

In Iceland, the Blue Lagoon is a good example . while nobody knows that it
was created by an accident at the nearby geothermal power plant. But an
actual geothermal power plant in the country has also become a tourist
destination in itself.

So it is not surprising that Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE) in Indonesia
is looking into utilising its geothermal activities beyond steam and power
generation.

Local news now report, that Indonesia's Tourism Ministry is coordinating
with Pertamina to support the development of geothermal tourism in the
operational areas of geothermal energy production.

An MoU was signed between the Ministry and PGE at a recent national tourism
coordination meeting in Jakarta and there are big hopes that geothermal
sites in the county could not only generate electricity but also become
tourist destinations.

"Indonesia, with its volcanoes and the geothermal areas, can potentially be
a tourist attraction. However, the geothermal resources are only known as a
source of green energy here, where it actually has a direct use in the
tourism sector," President Director of PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Irfan
Zainuddin said.

Irfan said several countries have adopted the utilization of geothermal
operation area into tourist attractions, namely Iceland, New Zealand, Japan,
and a number of European countries.

The PGE has started a geothermal tourism trial project in a village in
Kamojang, West Java. Similar program will also be applied to other PGE
operational areas, such as in Lahendong, North Sulawesi; and in Ulubelu,
Lampung.

He surely hopes the MoU would support the development of geothermal tourism
in various regions in Indonesia.

PGE has 12 geothermal operational areas with a total capacity of 532 MW
which is produced from four areas in Kamojang (West Java), Ulubelu
(Lampung), Lahendong (North Sulawesi), and Sibayak (North Sumatera).

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

Link to Original Article:
http://www.thinkgeoenergy.com/pertamina-exploring-development-of-tourism-at-
geothermal-sites/?utm_source=ThinkGeoEnergy+List&utm_campaign=3fbfb01265-TGE
_Newsletter_RSS1_12_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_657e42f767-3fbfb01265-4
15237525

--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---

John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com