Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — PT Pertamina (Persero) is strengthening its commitment to Indonesia’s energy transition by accelerating geothermal development through new projects, expanded exploration and optimization of existing geothermal assets.
The company reaffirmed its commitment during the 12th Indonesia International Geothermal Convention & Exhibition (IIGCE) 2026, where Pertamina Group highlighted geothermal energy as a strategic component of Indonesia’s efforts to strengthen energy security while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia said President Prabowo Subianto had instructed the government to pursue alternative energy sources amid geopolitical uncertainty and fluctuations in global energy prices.
Pertamina President Director Simon Aloysius Mantiri said the company would continue expanding its geothermal business as part of its strategy to develop a lower-carbon energy portfolio.
“Pertamina continues to accelerate its transformation toward a low-carbon energy business and is committed to expanding geothermal development to support national energy security,” Simon said in a statement on August 20.
Through PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk (PGE), Pertamina signed several strategic agreements and received a new geothermal exploration assignment from the government during IIGCE 2026.
Among the agreements were two Letters of Intent between PT PLN (Persero), the PGE consortium and PT PLN Indonesia Power for the development of the Ulubelu Bottoming Unit and Lahendong Bottoming Unit geothermal power plants.
PGE President Director Ahmad Yani said the projects were intended to optimize existing geothermal resources and increase the supply of clean and reliable electricity.
He said the Ulubelu and Lahendong geothermal facilities had played an important role in supplying electricity to Lampung and North Sulawesi. The additional generating units are expected to expand access to reliable clean electricity while supporting sustainable economic growth.
PGE also received a Ministerial Decree from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources assigning the company to conduct a Preliminary Survey and Geothermal Exploration (PSPE) in the Cubadak Panti area of Pasaman and West Pasaman regencies, West Sumatra.
Ahmad Yani said the assignment was part of PGE’s commitment to supporting Indonesia’s Net Zero Emissions target by 2060 and strengthening national energy resilience.
At the event, PGE also launched a book titled “Menjaga Masa Depan Energi Bangsa: 100 Tahun Panas Bumi Indonesia” (Safeguarding the Nation’s Energy Future: 100 Years of Indonesian Geothermal Energy). The book documents the development of Indonesia’s geothermal industry, including its origins at the KMJ-3 well in Kamojang in 1926.
The well became an important milestone in Indonesia’s geothermal development after consistently producing dry steam and contributing to the early development of the country’s geothermal industry.
Pertamina said its geothermal expansion reflects its broader strategy to balance energy security, affordability and environmental sustainability. The company is positioning geothermal energy as an important source of low-carbon electricity while supporting Indonesia’s long-term energy transition. (*)
