Indonesia geothermal energy development requires public education and regional coordination

Experts suggest that Indonesia's geothermal energy development must be balanced with public education and regional planning to ensure coexistence with other sectors like tourism.

Prof. Lambok M. Hutasoit, a hydrogeology expert from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), noted that while Indonesia holds a massive geothermal potential of 23.2 GW, only about 2.78 GW is currently operational. He emphasized the need for public education to address concerns regarding groundwater impacts, explaining that geothermal reservoirs typically reside in rock layers distinct from shallow aquifers used for household water.

In the Bandungan area of Semarang Regency, tourism observer Bambang Mintosih stated that the development of the Gunung Ungaran geothermal power plant could work alongside the local tourism sector. He argued that success requires collaboration between stakeholders, including local communities, hospitality businesses, and government, to ensure that clean energy development supports rather than hinders regional economic growth and environmental preservation.