Rambu Energy Pathway to Indonesia’s energy and energy related industries
Related Articles
Sano Nggoang (Fired Lake) (Image: ESDM)
JAKARTA (RAMBUENERGY.com) – The World Bank has provided a grant amounting to US$4.5 million for the exploration of geothermal potential or pre-feasibility study of Wae Sano, locally known as Sano Nggoang (fired lake), located in West Manggarai Regency, Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
Volcanic lake Sano Nggoang is also popular with its panoramic view, which is about 35 km from Labuan Bajo, which is now declared as one of top tourist destinations by the Indonesian government. Sano Nggoang is yet to attract tourists due to poor road infrastructure from Labuan Bajo to the volcanic lake. Labuan Bajo is the capital city of West Manggarai Regency, the gateway to Komodo Island.
Wae Sano or Sano Nggoang is considered as a geological heritage. The lake is situated at around 750 meters above sea level with depth of 600 meters, covering 513 hectares.
Director for Geothermal Yunus Saefulhak said the grant is given to the government of Indonesia through PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero), a state owned infrastructure financing company. The funds will be used to carry out geological drilling, as well as geo-physics and geo-chemical survey (3G).
“Next year, the government will also build road infrastructure to the area,” Yunus said during a media gathering at the office of Directorate General for New, Renewable and Energy Conservation (EBTKE) at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, Sept. 15, 2016.
If the drilling, to be financed by the World Bank, is successful, the area will be determined as geothermal potential area and will be auctioned. The winner of the auction will repay the cost of the drilling (revolving fund). The funds will then be used again to carry out explorations in other places.
Indonesia has the world-biggest geothermal energy potential, which was estimated as more than 27,000 MW and is though to account for more than 40% of world total potential. Therefore, the development of geothermal power has been strongly expected in order to supply energy to the increasing power demand and to diversify energy sources. Today, only less than 5 percent of geothermal potentials in Indonesia that have been utilized. (*)
