“ … Here is another one. A change in what Human nature will allow for government. "Careful, Kryon, don't talk about politics. You'll get in trouble." I won't get in trouble. I'm going to tell you to watch for leadership that cares about you. "You mean politics is going to change?" It already has. It's beginning. Watch for it. You're going to see a total phase-out of old energy dictatorships eventually. The potential is that you're going to see that before 2013.

They're going to fall over, you know, because the energy of the population will not sustain an old energy leader ..."
"Update on Current Events" – Jul 23, 2011 (Kryon channelled by Lee Carroll) - (Subjects: The Humanization of God, Gaia, Shift of Human Consciousness, 2012, Benevolent Design, Financial Institutes (Recession, System to Change ...), Water Cycle (Heat up, Mini Ice Ace, Oceans, Fish, Earthquakes ..), Nuclear Power Revealed, Geothermal Power, Hydro Power, Drinking Water from Seawater, No need for Oil as Much, Middle East in Peace, Persia/Iran Uprising, Muhammad, Israel, DNA, Two Dictators to fall soon, Africa, China, (Old) Souls, Species to go, Whales to Humans, Global Unity,..... etc.)
(Subjects: Who/What is Kryon ?, Egypt Uprising, Iran/Persia Uprising, Peace in Middle East without Israel actively involved, Muhammad, "Conceptual" Youth Revolution, "Conceptual" Managed Business, Internet, Social Media, News Media, Google, Bankers, Global Unity,..... etc.)
.

Friday, April 30, 2010

Government Announces New $144 million Parliamentary Building

Jakarta Globe, April 30, 2010


A presidential bodyguard keep an eye out above the House of Representatives building. In breaking news, the government has just announced plans for a new parliamentary building given that the existing structure is tilting and its floors cracking. (JG Photo/ Yudhi Sukma Wijaya)

The Indonesian government has announced that it is setting aside Rp 1.3 trillion to build a new parliamentary building.

The current iconic structure is reportedly tilting seven degrees and its 24 floors cracking.

It is unclear if the existing building can be saved.

The building, which was originally intended by founding President Sukarno to house the Conference of New Emerging Forces, was completed under President Suharto in 1968.

It is understood the new building will cost Rp 1.3 trillion and consist of 36 floors and 700 rooms.

Construction is due to begin in August.

Related Article:

Parliament building only needs ‘minor repairs’


Bali Cultural Center to be built in India

The Jakarta Post, Denpasar | Fri, 04/30/2010 10:11 AM

DENPASAR: Bali Hindu Center will be built on a 2-hectare plot near the Ganges River to allow visitors to learn more about the island’s culture and religion.

Indra Udayana from Ashram Gandhi Puri said the center would serve as a cultural and religious bridge connecting Balinese and Indian people. The Ganges is considered a sacred river in Hinduism.

“Every year, millions of people visit the site for spiritual enlightenment,” Udayana said.

“Therefore, it would be quite strategic to introduce Balinese culture to fellow Hindus from around the world,” he said.

The development of the center was an initiative by Hindu leaders such as Pedanda (High Priest) Made Gunung, Ibu Gedong Bagoes Oka and former Bali governors Ida Bagus Mantra and Dewa Made Beratha. — JP

Govt license sought for Cilamaya port

Yuli Tri Suwarni, The Jakarta Post, Bandung | Fri, 04/30/2010 10:11 AM

The West Java provincial administration has called on the central government to speed up the issuance of the principal license for the development of Cilamaya port in Karawang.

The port, when completed, is expected to be able to ease Jakarta’s Tanjung Priok port’s cargo load by about 14 percent.

The head of the West Java Development Planning Agency, Denny Juanda, said the province had not yet received the written license from the central government. “What we have so far is just a verbal assurance and statements in media,” he said on Thursday.

He added the Cilamaya port would mean efficiency for businesses in term of expenses and timing of their product shipment. This in turn will improve their competitiveness, he said.

West Java industries and factories, according to Denny, constituted 6 million twenty-foot equivalent (TEU) a day or some 45 percent of Tanjung Priok’s cargo.

Stagnation at Tanjung Priok, he said, had caused financial losses to the industry due to delays of up to five days in shipping as ships had to queue before being able to leave the port.

He said the compensation the West Java provincial administration had to bear from the delay reached up to Rp 10 billion in 2005 and is predicted to increase to Rp 18.81 billion this year.

“We won’t take the entire industry from Tanjung Priok to Cimalaya. But at least it can serve as the main feeder for the port,” Denny said.

He added that state-run port operator company PT Pelindo II had expressed commitment to manage Cilamaya as a hub-port to reduce the long queue at Tanjung Priok.

A European community consortium, PT Eurocorr Indonesia, worked with Dutch DETEC NV to finish the feasibility study in 2008 and planned to develop Cilamaya as a European-standard port.

JICA (Japan for International Cooperation Agency), he added, had also been funding a master plan study on the development of Cilamaya conducted by the Transportation Ministry scheduled to be completed by July this year.

Meanwhile, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s West Java chapter asked that industries had access to an export-import port zone that was void of social problems and traffic congestion.

Chairman Agung Suryamal Sutisno said the port would be important to guarantee the security and speed of the exports to get to the buyers’ hands abroad in time.

He added that Tanjung Priok was no longer feasible as West Java’s main export-import gate as containers first had to travel Jakarta’s city toll roads that were plagued by traffic jams.

The Cilamaya feasibility study shows that it is on average a 15-hour turn-around to Tanjung Priok from Bandung. While to Cimalaya it is only a 10-hour turn-around.

The difference is considered Cilamaya’s competitive advantage.

Government to Use Methane Gas for Electricity

Tempo Interactive, Thursday, 29 April, 2010 | 23:31 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The government will use coal bed methane for power plant needs.

In the initial stage, the government will build a plant of 23 MW by 2011.

Up until now, Indonesia is considered to have the largest potential for methane gas in the world, now reaching 453.30 trillion cubic feet (TCF).

“Especially in Central and South Sumatra and Kalimantan,” said the managing director and CEO of VICO Craig Stewart in Jakarta yesterday.

Coal bed methane is a fuel from natural gas dominated by methane gas with a small amount of hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon gas in coal obtained through chemical and physical processes.

The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Darwin Zahedy Saleh, explained that coal bed methane use is in line with the national target of reducing dependency on conventional fuels, such as oil and gas.

“Especially considering that conventional fuel will not be able to fulfill market demand, especially after the peak of gas production in 2016,” said Darwin.

The government has made a map of coal bed methane use.

Next year it will become a coal bed methane project prototype for electricity plants.

In 2015, the coal bed methane production will be equal to gas, which is 500 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (MMSCFD) and it will be 1,000 million MMSCFD by 2020.

The Director General of Oil and Gas Evita Herawati Legowo added that coal bed methane supplies would be obtained from sources in Kalimantan and Sumatra.

The fields to be developed incude Pulang Pisau, Sangatha 1, Barito Banjar 1, Tanjung Enin and Sekayu.

Evita said that coal bed methane would be prioritized for electricity first.

“Next it could be used for LNG. This is our ambition,” she said.

RATNANING ASIH

Winners of Robot Contest Obtain Scholarships

Tempo Interactive, Thursday, 29 April, 2010 | 23:33 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Indonesian robot team who won the International robot contest arrived in Soekarno-Hatta airport yesterday.

They were greeted by the Rector of the Indonesia Computer University (Unikom) Eddy Soeryanto Soegoto and dozens of students.

“They won the international robot contest in San Fransisco, U.S.A, “Eddy told reporters.

On 25 April, the robot team from a University in Bandung obtained a gold medal for the Robogames contest in the wheeled senior category.

The Indonesian robot team consists of two people, Yusrila Kerlooza and Rodi Hartono.

In the competition, in which there were 181 teams from 17 countries, the Indonesian robot succeeded in finding a fire source hidden in a labyrinth and then extinguished it.

“This was a trial time competition. Our robot succeeded in extinguishing the fire faster than the U.S team, which was ranked second,” said Yusrila.

Indonesian robot capability has been proven.

Last year, the robot called DU-114 won the Indonesian Robot Competition (KR).

“We need one year to prepare the robot, since winning in KRI,” said Eddy.

The key to winning, said Edy, was hard work.

Research has been carried out since five years ago.

In the meantime, the robot’s ability has been adjusted so it can always compete in the yearly competition.

“Every year, improvements were always needed so the robot’s capability was not behind those of other countries,” said Yusrila.

For the win, Eddy confirmed that team members obtain a scholarship until doctorate from the Ministry of National Education.

“Like the minister said, I hope they can go to school abroad so they can develop further,” he said.

Yusrizal looked tired after the long flight from the United States.

“I want to have a rest and then I will go to school again.”

Unikom plan to increase the abilities of the DU-114 robot after the win.

According to Yusrizal, his university will participate in KRI which will be held in Bandung soon.

Besides that, Unikom is trying to prepare the next generation so the robot research could still be conducted.

ANTON WILLIAM

Thursday, April 29, 2010

RI to exhibit cultural, natural richness

Primastuti Handayani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Thu, 04/29/2010 9:03 AM

Less than a week before the kickoff of the World Expo Shanghai China (WESC) 2010, the organizers announced tickets for the May 1 opening day were sold out.

Such great enthusiasm reflects the pride of the Chinese government in hosting the event — dubbed the third largest in the world after the Olympic Games and the soccer World Cup. The organizers have issued some tips on the World Expo’s website for would-be visitors, which include finding the entrances and wearing comfortable walking shoes.

For the government of Indonesia, this year’s World Expo is very special. It is the second time Indonesia has had its own pavilion at the event. The first time was in New York in 1964, where Indonesia also participated as an independent country. During the Dutch colonial era, Indonesia, then named the Dutch Indies, took part in the event in Chicago in 1893.

A total of 192 countries and 50 multinational corporations have confirmed their participation at the six-month-long event that will end on Oct. 31. The event is expected to attract 70 million visitors from around the globe, the organizers said on its website en.expo2010.cn.

Indonesia’s Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said recently that the presence of the Indonesia pavilion in the expo “is proof of the efforts to position the country on the world map.

“It will enhance Indonesia’s image as a country possessing rich cultural, natural… resources and a rich civilization,” said Mari, who chairs the Indonesian participation committee.

For Indonesia, this nation branding exercise — the term nation branding was first coined by author and British government adviser Simon Anholt — is to showcase the country’s potential and achievements in economic growth, democracy and politics, as well as culture.

What makes Indonesia’s participation more special is that the year 2010 marks the 60th anniversary of Indonesia-China diplomatic ties. Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao had to cancel his state visit to Jakarta, slated for April 23, following the earthquake in Yushu county that killed over 2,000 people.

At the 5.28-square-kilometer WESC, the Indonesian pavilion will be located in Zone B along with pavilions for Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Singapore, New Zealand, Malaysia, the Philippines and other international organizations, including the United Nations. The 2,400-square-meter pavilion is built on a 4,000-square-meter plot of land.

The Indonesian pavilion carries the theme “Indonesia Biodiver City”, in line with the WESC grand theme “Better City, Better Life”.

To showcase the theme, the pavilion is covered with greenish bamboo stems, some of them growing out

of the ceiling. The use of bamboo reflects the synergy between the traditional and contemporary lifestyle

in Indonesia.

The pavilion’s interior will highlight Indonesia’s diverse culture, influenced by China following the arrival of Admiral Cheng Ho, or Zheng He, of China, in the 1400s, and by Buddhism as represented by the Borobudur temple relief inside the pavilion and others.

The pavilion will include a restaurant serving Indonesian food and a special corner for Komodo dragons where visitors can vote for the beast to be among the world’s New Seven Wonders of Nature.

“Every single aspect of the display [at the pavilion] will reflect our true character as a nation,” Mari said.

The government chose “Indonesia is” as the country’s tagline.

Indrani Buntarian, the communication specialist on Indonesia’s committee, said the tagline was aimed at sending a positive message about Indonesia to the whole world.

“This event is important for Indonesia because it is a place where we can build a ‘conversation’ with other countries,” she said.

Mari said that by promoting Indonesia, foreign investors were expected to invest in Indonesia, and the WESC was tipped to bring a multiplying effect in tourism, trade and investment. The government aims to earn Rp 1 trillion (US$110.8 million) in transactions at the event.

Indonesia’s committee has an agreement with flag carrier Garuda Indonesia to be the expo’s official airline for both Indonesian delegates and the public. Garuda is the only Indonesian airline linking Shanghai with Jakarta.

Garuda Indonesia’s president and CEO Emirsyah Satar expressed hope that the WESC would help raise the number of passengers using its Jakarta-Shanghai service by between 10 and 15 percent, from last year’s 60,000 passengers.

NTT-Timor Leste bus terminal to be built

The Jakarta Post, Kupang | Thu, 04/29/2010 10:31 AM

KUPANG: An international bus terminal will be built at the border area between East Nusa Tenggara and Timor Leste.

The terminal, which will be built on a 4-hectare plot, is estimated to cost Rp 24 billion and will be financed by the state budget.

“Land clearance was finalized and construction will start next year,” provincial transportation agency head Gulam Husei said Wednesday.

The planned terminal, which will be located near the Napan checkpoint in Timor Tengah Utara regency, is expected to facilitate land transport between the two countries.

The planned terminal will be the third after the terminals in Kupang and Motaain at the Belu checkpoint.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

President opens development planning Congress 2010

Antara News, Wednesday, April 28, 2010 14:03 WIB

Giving direction: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono gestures during his opening speech at a national development planning meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday. Antara/ Widodo S. Jusuf

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono here on Wednesday opened the National Development Planning Congress 2010 which will last until May 1.

Aimed at drafting the government`s Work Plan for 2011, the congress is being participated in by around 2,000 people consisting of, among others, governors, district heads, mayors from all over Indonesia.

The congress` theme is "Acceleration of Just Economic Growth Supported by Consolidation of Central-Regional Government Relations".

The theme is translated into 11 national development priorities in 2011, namely bureaucratic and administration reform, education, health, poverty eradication, food resilience, infrastructures, business and investment climate, energy, the environment, natural disasters, least developed regions, the most outer and inner islands, post-conflicts, culture, creativity and technology innovation.

The results of the earlier two working meetings led by the President and attended by governors from the country`s all provinces at Cipanas (West Java) and Tampaksiring (Bali Province), became inputs in drafting the government`s work plan 2011.

The congress is also expected to synchronize programs, main activities, venues and budgets prepared by the ministries and government institutions, which are considered urgent and need to be implemented immediately.

After delivering his opening remarks, President Yudhoyono is expected to present copies of two books titled "Guarding the Momentum for Change: Evaluation of the Five-Year Implementation of the National Middle-Term Development Plan 2004-2009" and "The Administration and Regional Development Implementation: Strengthening Synergy between the Central and Regional governments and Among Regions," to three representatives, namely Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo in his capacity as chairman of the All Indonesian Provincial Governments Association (APPSI), Pacitan District Head Sujono in his capacity as chairman of the All Indonesia District Government Association (APKASI), and Palembang Mayor Eddy Santana Putra in his capacity as chairman of the All Indonesia City Administration Association (APEKSI).

Related Articles:

President reminds regional heads of their main tasks

SBY warns officials against sleepiness


Holcim to Spend Up to $500m on New Cement Plant

Jakarta Globe, Ardian Wibisono & Muhammad Al Azhari, April 27, 2010

Cement maker PT Holcim Indonesia revealed on Tuesday that a cement factory it is planning to build in Tuban, East Java, would cost $400 million to $500 million and construction should start before end of the year.

Holcim Indonesia director Jannus Hutapea said the company was currently seeking approval from its Swiss parent company.

“Our CEO is currently in Switzerland to present our plan to expand our capacity. If wet get approval then we will finalize the plan. We are currently also dealing with permits with the local government and we have already obtained the land,” Jannus said.

Irman Andriesjah, Holcim Indonesia’s deputy chief financial officer, said the new factory needed to be built soon because Holcim Indonesia did not have much spare production capacity left at its two existing factories in Java.

“Looking at the growing demand we will hit maximum utilization in a year,” he said.

It would take around two and a half years to build the new factory, Irman said. Once completed, it would add an extra 1.6 million tons a year of production capacity to Holcim Indonesia’s existing 8.3 million tons a year, he said.

With the new factory located in Tuban, Jannus said, Holcim will also improve its distribution efficiency for eastern Java, which would lead to margin gains.

Alif Sasetyo, a cement analyst at PT Mandiri Sekuritas, said that even if Holcim hit its maximum production capacity before the new factory was completed, the company could divert spare capacity from its Malaysian subsidiary to Indonesia to avoid losing market share.

“They still have 1.2 million tons of spare production capacity in Malaysia,” he said.

According to Mandiri Sekuritas data, Holcim is Indonesia’s third-largest cement producer with 13.9 percent of the total market and 19 percent market of the Javanese market.

Alif said the cement industry is expected to grow by at least 7 percent this year, supported by the property sector, which is being boosted by low interest rates and the improving domestic economy. In 2009, cement sales grew by just 0.9 percent, with total consumption reaching 38.41 million tons.

Cost of Sunda Strait bridge may balloon to US$18.87 billion

Aditya Suharmoko, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 04/27/2010 10:24 AM

The construction of the Sunda Strait bridge, which, if completed, will be the longest suspension bridge in the world, may cost as much as Rp 170 trillion (US$18.87 billion), almost double the initial estimate of $11 billion, an official said.

Feasibility studies revealed the huge price tag, which, according to Syahrial Loetan, the main secretary of the National Development Planning Agency, is subject to change.

The Sunda Strait bridge will connect Java and Sumatra with an approximate length of 30 kilometers, according to the planning agency.

The bridge width will be 60 meters, with six lanes for traffic and double-track railways, based on the official website.

Gas and oil pipes, fiber-optic cables and electricity cables will be built into the length of the bridge.

The planning agency said the Sunda Strait bridge is needed as the only existing transportation, ferries, can no longer support economic development in both islands.

The construction of the bridge was initiated by PT Bangungraha Sejahtera Mulia, a subsidiary of the Artha Graha Group owned by tycoon Tomy Winata. A national team led by Coordinating Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa is now responsible for preliminary studies into the bridge’s construction.

The bridge is expected to take at least 10 years to build, said Banten Governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah.

The planning agency expects construction to start in 2012.

Because a large amount of funds is needed to construct the bridge, the agency has included it as part of the public-private partnership (PPP) projects in the 2010-2014 period worth $47.3 billion in total.

Hatta said he has offered construction of the bridge to Chinese investors, but as yet no decision has been announced.

Syahrial is optimistic foreign investors will want to invest in this ambitious project. “Our economic growth is high compared to other countries. With stable macroeconomic conditions Indonesia can be the right place for global investors,” he said.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said he expects private investors to participate in the bridge construction.

The government “has taken comprehensive moves to create a better investment climate,” he said, adding that Indonesia has improved infrastructure over the past five years.

Indonesia’s economy grew by 4.5 percent in 2009, according to the Central Statistics Agency. The government expects economic growth will hit 5.8 percent this year.

$5 billion of deals signed at World Geothermal Congress

Alfian and Desy Nurhayati, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali | Tue, 04/27/2010 10:17 AM

The signing of 12 geothermal-related business contracts worth around US$5 billion marked the opening of the World Geothermal Congress 2010 on Monday, in Nusa Dua, Bali.

“The 12 projects were signed to precede the second phase of the fast-track electricity program,” Coordinating Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa told the congress.

Included in the contracts were cooperation agreements between state power firm PT PLN and PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE) — a geothermal business branch of state oil and gas company PT Pertamina — to develop four geothermal power plants.

The four projects are: unit IV of the Lahendong power plant in North Sulawesi; units I through IV of the Kotamobagu power plant also in North Sulawesi, unit I and II of the Hulu Lais power plant in Bengkulu, and unit I and II of the Sungai Penuh power plants in Jambi.

“The four projects require a total investment of around $541 million,” PGE president director Abadi Poernomo said. PGE will supply geothermal power to power plants for 4.3 US cents per kilowatt per hour.

“The price will escalate by 2 percent every year,” PLN’s technology and planning director Nasri Sebayang said.

The congress was officially opened by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Attending the opening ceremony were Iceland President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, and the president of the International Geothermal Association (IGA), Ladislaush Rybach.

Another business deal signed during the event was a $40 million drilling contract between geothermal producer Star Energy Geothermal Wayang Windu and drilling company PT Resources Jaya Teknik Management Indonesia (RMI).

Under the agreement, RMI is appointed by Star Energy to carry out drilling activity at Star Energy’s Wayang Windu Geothermal field in Pengalengan, West Java.

“The contract will last for two years,” RMI’s president director Rohmad Hadiwijoyo said.

Also on Monday, companies were awarded the rights to develop four geothermal fields and power plants. They are PT Golden Spike Indonesia, PT Supreme Energy, PT Sokoria Geothermal Indonesia and PT Supreme Energy. Golden Spike won the tender to develop the power plant at Ungaran Mountain in Central Java, while Sokoria was appointed to develop the same project in Ende, East Nusa Tenggara.

Supreme Energy was chosen to develop two similar projects in Rajabasa Mountain in Lampung and Solok, West Sumatera.

The four projects are estimated to require a total investment of $1.68 billion. Herman Darnel Ibrahim, chairman of the congress’ organizing committee, said the signed projects were expected to attract more investors to develop Indonesia’s untapped geothermal resources.

“This will send the signal that Indonesia is very serious in developing its geothermal [potential],” he said.

Indonesia’s geothermal capacity is estimated to be around 28,000 megawatts, of which only about 5 percent has been developed.

Surya Darma, chairman of the Indonesian Geothermal Association (INAGA), cited PLN’s monopoly on power distribution as one factor contributing to the under utilization of the energy source.

“If there is only one buyer, the buyer must not give priority to geothermal for their fuel,” he said.

Hundreds to take part in Sail Indonesia

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 04/27/2010 4:27 PM

Around 220 participants from 22 countries across the world have confirmed their participation in the 10th of Sail Indonesia, which will start on July 24.

According to the annual sailing rally’s official website www.sailindonesia.net, the participants will depart from Darwin, Australia, and enter Indonesia through Kupang, the capital of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

Provincial tourism agency official Ubaldus Gogi told tempointeraktif.com on Tuesday the participants would visit Rote Ndao, Alor, Sikka, Nagekeo, Ende, South Central Timor and Labuan Bajo.

After spending a few days in Kupang, some the participants would take part in the Sail Banda in Maluku, while some others would visit Bali.


Related Articles:

Sail Banda 2010 (official Website)

Most "Sail Banda" activities to take place in Ambon

Maluku`s historical sites being restored for Sail Banda 2010

More articles related to Maluku ....


Monday, April 26, 2010

Government Outlines 5-year plan to ‘Cut Oil Use 25%'

Jakarta Globe, Reva Sasistiya & Agence France-Presse, April 26, 2010

A worker at a geothermal energy plant. The Energy Ministry has announced an ambitious plan to reduce oil use by 25 percent by using the alternative energy.

The government plans to cut national oil consumption by more than a quarter within five years by turning to Indonesia’s vast, untapped geothermal power sources, an Energy Ministry official said on Sunday.

As the World Geothermal Conference opened in Bali, Sukhyar, the ministry’s head of geology, told the Jakarta Globe that developing 4,000 megawatts of geothermal capacity by 2014, as planned under the second phase of a “fast-track” generating program, would save 60 million barrels of oil a year. It would thus offset slipping national oil production and help Indonesia trade millions of tons of carbon credits generated by the cleaner energy.

Sukhyar said the country’s energy road map called for more than 9,000 MW of geothermal power — extracted from natural heat stored deep in the earth — to be developed by 2025, saving a total of four billion barrels of oil. “That is magnificent,” he said.

It won’t be easy. If there is any country in the world where geothermal makes sense it is Indonesia. Yet despite its natural advantages, it lags behind the United States and the Philippines in geothermal energy production.

An estimated 40 percent of global geothermal power reserves are in Indonesia. That is about 27,000 MW in annual capacity, but Energy Ministry data says only 1,198 MW has so far been tapped.

One of the biggest obstacles is cost. The nation currently relies mostly on dirty coal-fired power plants using locally produced coal. A geothermal plant costs about twice as much, and can take many more years to get onstream.

“An investment of $12 billion is needed to add 4,000 MW of capacity,” energy analyst Herman Darnel Ibrahim estimated, putting into context a promise late last year of $400 million in financing from lenders including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

“Field exploration can take three to five years, suitability studies for funding takes a year, while building the plant itself takes three years,” he added.

The government hopes to raise $12 billion in investment in the fast-track program’s second phase. It is also seeking help from private investors and partners including Japan and the United States, and it is making its case at this week’s conference in Bali, at which 2,000 participants from 85 countries are expected.

Surya Darma, head of the Indonesian Geothermal Association, said developing the country’s capacity meant $50 billion worth of investment opportunities.

Energy Minister Darwin Zahedy Saleh said the Bali forum would be useful for Indonesia to attract investors, as corporate chief officers from around the world would leave with a greater appreciation of the benefits of geothermal power and the opportunities that Indonesia offered.

Geothermal fans welcomed the recent completion of negotiations between a consortium of US, Japanese and Indonesian companies and state electricity firm PT PLN over a 340 MW project in Sumatra. The Sarulla project will be Indonesia’s second biggest geothermal plant, after the Wayang Windu facility in West Java.

Meanwhile, several firms such as Tata and Chevron have submitted bids to build a plant of up to 200 MW in North Sumatra.

Editorial here

Related Articles:

President Yudhoyono Opens World Geothermal Congress in Bali

US$50b needed for geothermal energy


Sunday, April 25, 2010

Bekasi to get waste-fueled electricity in June

The Jakarta Post, Bekasi | Sun, 04/25/2010 7:19 PM

Bekasi Environmental Agency in West Java says it is confident it can produce up to 2 megawatts of electricity from waste at the Bantargebang waste management facility (TPA).

Agency chief Dudy Setiabudhi told tempointeraktif.com on Sunday that his team had not had any difficulties in the construction of the waste-fueled power plant.

“We’re ready to start producing power,” he said.

Dudy said his team was installing pipes to channel methane gas from waste wells to the generator.

Banyumas to build 12 hydroelectric power plants

The Jakarta Post, Banyumas, C. Java | Sun, 04/25/2010 5:03 PM

Banyumas Regency administration of Central Java has planned to build 12 hydroelectric power generators this year. The generators will use river streams, including Logawa and Pruput rivers, across the regency, says an official.

“Seven power generators will be sold to state-run power company [PLN],” head of the energy and natural resources agency Anton Adi Wahyono told tempointeraktif.com, on Sunday.

The seven generators are capable of producing around 19 megawatts of electricity, he added.

Meanwhile, electricity from the remaining five generators will be distributed to Banyumas residents, said Anton.

PLN to build PLTU in Batang

Antara News, Sunday, April 25, 2010 13:29 WIB

Batang, C Java (ANTARA News) - State electricity company PT PLN plans to build a coal-fired power plant (PLTU) in Batang regency, Central Java province.

Head of the Batang Environment Agency Agus Riyadi said Saturday previously a team of the Central Java Energy and Mineral Resources Agency and Environment Impact Control Agency (Bapedal) has conducted a survey of the location where the PLTU would be built.

"As a final decision on the project has yet to be made, the PLTU project would be built in Batang regency as the location is very strategic," he said.

He said a number or areas where a PLTU will be built are the Denasri Kulon coast, Ujungnegoro, Celon, and port of Kedawung village, Gringsing subdistrict.

However, he added, the building of the 2,000 megawatts (MW) PLTUs in Java, may need 250 hectares of land with a project investment of Rp30 trillion.

"The Batang regency administration has prepared the land for the PLTU," he said.

He added that according to the result of a survey and criterium, it would be quicker to build a PLTU on the coast of the port in Kedawung village, as it is far from a railroad track and the planned Batang-Semarang toll road project.

Besides, the process of compensation to the land owners is also much more simplified because most of the land for the project belonged to PT PLN.

We believe that it would be more strategic to build the PLTU on the coast of the port, Kedawung village, compared to other locations," he said.

BKPM approves 20 foreign investment projects in Batam

Antara News, Sunday, April 25, 2010 08:42 WIB

Batam (ANTARA News) - The Capital Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) has approved in the first quarter this year 20 new foreign investment projects worth US$16.9 million in Batam, Riau Islands province.

The projects come from Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Australia, Norway, South Korea and the Netherlands, head of marketing and public relations of BP Batam, Rustam H Hutapea, said here on Saturday.

Their businesses include ship building/repair, restaurant, recreation and trading.

Other businesses include electronic component, machinery/processing equipment/metal works, electricity control equipment, oil and gas mining supporting services, rubber goods, garments, housing, property development, business consultancy and management, loading and uploading services, metal processing and metal goods.

He said the number of approvals this year was higher than in the same period last year which was recorded at 18.

Meanwhile the value of investment projects approved this year rose 1.43 percent from US$16,649,493 in the same period last year.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Indonesia aims to tap volcano power

Google-AFP, by Alvin Darlanika Soedarjo (AFP)

Geothermal plants can convert the endless free supplies of volcanic heat into electricity

KAMOJANG, Indonesia — Indonesia has launched an ambitious plan to tap the vast power of its volcanoes and become a world leader in geothermal energy, while trimming greenhouse gas emissions.

The sprawling archipelago of 17,000 islands stretching from the Indian to the Pacific Oceans contains hundreds of volcanoes, estimated to hold around 40 percent of the world's geothermal energy potential.

But so far only a tiny fraction of that potential has been unlocked, so the government is seeking help from private investors, the World Bank and partners like Japan and the United States to exploit the power hidden deep underground.

"The government's aim to add 4,000 megawatts of geothermal capacity from the existing 1,189 megawatts by 2014 is truly challenging," Indonesian Geothermal Association chief Surya Darma said.

One of the biggest obstacles is the cost. Indonesia currently relies on dirty coal-fired power plants using locally produced coal. A geothermal plant costs about twice as much, and can take many more years in research and development to get online.

But once established, geothermal plants like the one built in Kamojang, Java, in 1982 can convert the endless free supplies of volcanic heat into electricity with much lower overheads -- and less pollution -- than coal.

This is the pay-off the government is hoping to sell at the fourth World Geothermal Congress opening Sunday on the Indonesian resort island of Bali. The six-day event will attract some 2,000 people from more than 80 countries.

"An investment of 12 billion dollars is needed to add 4,000 MW capacity," energy analyst Herman Darnel Ibrahim said, putting into context the recent announcement of 400 million dollars in financing from lenders including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

"Field exploration can take from three to five years, suitability studies for funding takes a year, while building the plant itself takes three years," he added.

If there is any country in the world where geothermal makes sense it is Indonesia. Yet despite its natural advantages, it lags behind the United States and the Philippines in geothermal energy production.

Southeast Asia's largest economy and the world's third biggest greenhouse gas emitter exploits only seven geothermal fields out of more than 250 it could be developing.

The case for geothermal has become stronger with the rapid growth of Indonesia's economy and the corresponding strain on its creaking power infrastructure.

The archipelago of 234 million people is one of the fastest growing economies in the Group of 20 but currently only 65 percent of Indonesians have access to electricity.

The goal is to reach 90 percent of the population by the end of the decade, through a two-stage plan to "fast-track" the provision of an extra 10,000 MW by 2012, mostly through coal, and another 10,000 MW from clean sources like volcanoes by 2014.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's pledge to slash greenhouse gas emissions by 26 percent against 2005 levels by 2020 has also spurred the push to geothermal.

Many of the best geothermal sources lie in protected forests, so the government aims to allow the drilling of wells inside conservation areas while insisting that the power plants themselves be outside.

Geothermal fans welcomed the recent completion of negotiations between a consortium of US, Japanese and Indonesian companies and the state electricity company, Perusahaan Listrik Negara, over a 340 MW project on Sumatra island.

The Sarulla project will be Indonesia's second biggest geothermal plant, after the Wayang Windu facility in West Java.

"The Sarulla project is a perfect example of how Indonesia can realise its clean energy and energy security goals by partnering with international firms," US Ambassador Cameron Hume wrote in a local newspaper.

Several firms such as Tata and Chevron have submitted bids to build another geothermal plant in North Sumatra, with potential for 200 MW.

Bali to turn garbage into fertilizer

Antara News, Saturday, April 24, 2010 15:41 WIB

Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA News) - Bali provincial administration is exploring ways to turn garbage into non-organic fertilizer in a bid to promote environmental cleanliness on the island of paradise.

"In the 2010 amended regional budget (APBD) the local government will allocate funds to build three garbage management factories," Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika said at a meeting with various public elements here on Saturday.

The governor said the first phase of small scale garbage management factories would be built around the area of Besakih temple in Karangasem, Goa Lawah in Klungkung, and Kintamani Batur temple in Bangli.

The environmentally-friendly factories at the three locations are expected to manage and turn the garbage in those areas into non-organic fertilizer.

"We want to turn the garbage there to have economic value for the local people," the governor said in the company of his deputy Aan Puspayoga.

On the occasion, Governor Made Mangku Pastika said the garbage management into non-organic fertilizer was in line with the local government target to make Bali a green province.

"If such a pioneer project yields a good result, the number of small scale garbage management factory will be increased," the governor said.

Cellsafe to expand biotech activities in Indonesia

Antara News, Saturday, April 24, 2010 13:45 WIB

Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA News/Bernama) - Cellsafe International Group, a regional stem cell biotechnology company, is to expand its biotechnology business and research and development activities in Indonesia following a strategic partnership with PT Kimia Farma TBK (Kimia Farma).

Cellsafe, through its subsidiary, PT Cellsafe International, Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Kimia Farma, a leading integrated healthcare services companies in Indonesia.

Cellsafe Executive Director Lau Kin Wai said the comprehensive partnership involved co-branding and co-marketing arrangements that would allow the group to harness the vast resources and indepth market knowledge of Kimia Farma.

Kimia Farma operates one of the largest network pharmacies in Indonesia, with more than 400 outlets and owns more than 80 pharmacies in different hospitals.

"Cellsafe has set up one of the largest stem cell cryogenic laboratories in Indonesia. With this partnership, we will be constructing a new state-of-art stem laboratory at a co-located facility with Kimia Farma Diagnostic," he told reporters after the MoU signing.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Riau to have Sumatran tiger study center

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 04/23/2010 3:26 PM

The Sumatran Tiger Conservation Program Foundation will establish a Sumatran tiger study center in Riau.

The study center was aimed at monitoring and preserving the remaining endangered Sumatran tigers as their population continues to decrease annually, Bastoni of the Sumatran Tiger Conservation Program Foundation, told Antara in Pekanbaru on Friday.

"The first study center will be established in Sinepis, Rokan Hilir District, as a model. And later, if it runs well and shows concrete benefit, similar study centers will be established in other conservation areas," he said.

The study center will be established with the cooperation of forest concession holders in Riau.

Around 20 to 25 tigers live in Sinepis conservation area. The study center is also expected to prevent any tiger attacks or encroachment in human settlement areas in Rokan Hilir.

"The study center will also monitor the movement of Sumatran tigers in Rokan Hilir as their behavior becomes more predictable due to food shortages in the conservation area," he said.

Inhabitants of Pasir Limau and Sungai Daun villages recently reported that a number of goats and chicken had disappeared following tigers' attacks in their villages.

18 Indonesian Journalists to Focus on New Media in Netherlands

Jakarta Globe, April 22, 2010

Eighteen journalists from six cities in Indonesia are heading to the Netherlands to study the latest developments in new media.

The journalists work for print and broadcast media in Jakarta, Pekanbaru, Bali, Semarang, Malang and Surabaya. They are members of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) and recipients of this year’s StuNed scholarships provided by Nuffic Neso Indonesia.

Among them are Anita Rachman, a reporter from the Jakarta Globe, and Wahyu Dhyatmika, from Tempo weekly news magazine, who is also the chairman of AJI Jakarta.

“Media independence is still a problem in Indonesia even though we have enjoyed press freedom for 12 years,” Wahyu said on Wednesday at the program launch.

“We hope this training will enable us to have better knowledge of multimedia journalism, which can be a solution to strengthening media independence.”

The scholarship recipients will study at the Radio Netherlands Training Center for three weeks from next week and they will also attend an international conference on World Press Freedom Day on May 3.

Marrik Bellen, the Indonesian director of Nuffic Neso, said StuNed scholarships also had been awarded to journalists in 2007 and 2009. AJI is the third journalists’ organization to receive scholarships to help efforts to develop its members.

Bellen said good journalism was important for ensuring good governance.

Nuffic Nesso is a nonprofit organization commissioned by the Dutch government to manage the scholarship program and other higher education issues in the Netherlands.

In Indonesia, Nuffic Nesso provides consultation and information for Indonesians seeking scholarships in the Netherlands.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

President opens "Inacraft 2010" in Bali

Antara News, Wednesday, April 21, 2010 16:40 WIB

Tampak Siring (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono officially opened the 12th Jakarta International Handicraft Trade Fair (Inacraft 2010) at Tampak Siring Palace here on Wednesday.

On the occasion the head of state said the handicraft industry in Indonesia played a strategic role in the country`s economy because it had a big market opportunity and absorbed a great number of manpower.

"The important and strategic theme for the handicraft trade fair this year is from a smart village to a global market, because it is a strategic industry that can absorb a great number of manpower," President Yudhoyono said.

According to the head of state, many parties had a profound interest in handicraft products because of their profitable sale prices and inspiration.

"I am optimistic that various handicraft products in the country can bridge cultural relations among nations around the world," the president said.

Therefore, the head of state reminded the craftsmen to continue to develop their idea, creativity, and improving the quality in the tight global market competition.

Global market, according to the president, would highly respect safe and environmentally-friendly products.

"Handicraft industry can really support the people`s economic power, and therefore we need to improve the design, quality, and packing system, and trademark," the president said.

On the occasion the head of state also asked the craftsmen to have self-confidence following the implementation of Asean Free Trade Area and China-Asean Free Trade Agreement.

"Have self-confidence in the face of Asean Free Trade Area and China-Asean Free Trade Agreement, because the government will make an all-out effort to make a policy to strengthen the national economy," the president said.

President Yudhoyono added that with the free trade area, Indonesia would be able to have wider opportunity in attracting as many investors as possible.

"We are tested to be able to come out of transitional period in the trade era because it is our role to build a profitable but fair world economic architecture," he added.

RI to apply for UN fund to help local farmers

Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 04/21/2010 9:03 AM

Indonesia is eyeing an international fund to help local farmers adapt to climate change as the UN issued its first call for climate change-prone countries to apply for the adaptation fund.

The government said Indonesia would apply for the adaptation fund to help local farmers and people living in coastal areas who were also vulnerable to rising sea levels to deal with climate change.

The National Council on Climate Change (DNPI) said the grant would be used to improve weather predictions and create new varieties of crops resistant to extreme climate changes.

“We are drafting a proposal with concrete programs to apply for the fund,” Armi Susandi, the DNPI deputy chairman of the adaptation working group, said.

The adaptation fund, a self-standing fund established under the Kyoto Protocol, was derived from a 2 percent share of proceeds from carbon trading in developing countries.

The World Bank serves as trustee for the fund.

Developing countries can apply for small-sized projects worth up to US$1 million and regular projects with a total grant of more than $1 million.

The final say on the countries eligible to receive the grant is the fund’s executive board.

“We are making history by granting funds to finance concrete adaptation projects and programs in developing countries, which are based on their national priorities, and may be financed through the ground-breaking direct access modality,” Farrukh Iqbal Khan, the chairman of the Adaptation Fund Board, said in a statement when launching the call for proposals last week.

“We expect to have funds of $400 million available by 2012, which means the Adaptation Fund does not have the resources to fully match the enormous adaptation needs of developing countries, but it is an important step forward.”

Developing countries have repeatedly called on developed nations to provide money for the fund that could be used by developing countries to adapt to climate change.

The head of adaptation at the Environment Ministry, Dadang Hilman, said his office was unaware of the announcement by the UN.

“We will check on it. We also want to crosscheck the countries eligible to apply for the fund,” he said.

Dadang added that any adaptation fund should be focused on tackling water resource problems, including for the agriculture sector.

The government has said that one of the sectors likely to be most affected by delayed rainfall and prolonged periods of drought was agriculture.

The delays in the rainy season caused longer dry spells in many areas across the country, leaving millions of people without water.

Shorter rainy seasons with heavier rainfall have also led to more floods and landslides.

The director of climate and energy at WWF Indonesia, Fitrian Ardiansyah, said that it was time for Indonesia to also play a role in determining the allocation of the adaptation fund.

He said that the management of the fund would also determine the survival of billions of people on the planet.

“Indonesia is vulnerable to the severe impacts of climate change as it still relies on natural resources such as the agriculture, fishery and tourism sectors,” he said.