Wakatobi Sea currents have the potential of generating one Megawatt (MW) of electricity per generator, a local official said.
“With their average velocity of 2.5 meters per second, Wakatobian Sea currents have great potential to become an electricity source,” Wakatobi District Chief Hugua said on Wednesday.
He said the Wakatobi Sea currents’ potential had been studied by state electricity company PT PLN and it was found that they could serve as an infinite and abundant power source to fuel generators.
Every generator could then produce one MW of electricity, Hugua said, adding that the more generators were installed, the more electricity could be produced.
Hugua is currently in Jakarta to coordinate with Maritime and Fisheries Minister Fadel Mohammad on harnessing the potential of Walatobi Sea currents.
The minister’s support was needed as the Wakatobian Sea was located in Wakatobi National Marine Park, which meant that PLN (would require special permission) to harness its potential as a power source.
According to Hugua, PLN President Director Dahlan Iskan himself had (verified) the velocity of Wakatobi Sea currents could be used to generate electricity. He also said PLN was ready to help if there was an agreement from the minister.
