The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry (ESDM) plans to offer 12 geothermal working areas (WKP) to investors this year through regular tender and direct offer.
The ministry said five of the twelve working areas will be auctioned through regular tender, while seven of them will be offered directly to the state owned energy companies, namely PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), PT Geo Dipa and PT Pertamina.
The five WKPs are WKP Muara Bulung in Southeast Sulawesi with potential capacity of 20 MW, Oka Iliange WKP in West Nusa Tenggara with potential capacity of 20 MW, Joilolo WKP in North Maluku with potential capacity of 60 MW, Simbolon Samosir WKP in North Sumatera with capacity of 220 MW and Sirung WKP located in Alor Island in East Nusa Tenggara with potential capacity of 10 MW.
The five working areas have total potential capacity of 330 MW. Director for Geothermal at the Directorate for New, Renewable and Energy Conservation Yunus Saefulhak said his office is still drafting regulation for the geothermal WK auction, which is expected to be issued in June this year.