Diponegoro University of Semarang, central Java, is building a Geothermal Research Center to be run by the Faculty of Science and Mathematics to examine potential geothermal resources in Indonesia.
“The Geophysics and Geothermal Research Centre building begins today and is targeted to be completed in November 2012,” said Dean of the university’s Faculty of Science and Mathematics M Nur here on Monday.
Nur added that fossil energy cannot remain plentiful forever and will someday be depleted due to excessive consumption. So, renewable energy such as geothermal would be a needed breakthrough.
“We see the geothermal energy potential in Central Java is located in the Mount Dieng area, Wonosobo and Ungaran, and Semarang regency. The Geothermal Research Center is expected to assist in the use of alternative energy,” he said.
Nur noted that the Geophysics and Geothermal Research Centre building will be built in an area of 2.105 square meters and supported by the state`s Oil and Gas Company, PT Pertamina.
“One day, the use of fossil energy will end. Oil-fueled cars will be finished. Therefore, we need a long-term breakthrough for new renewable energy use,” he said.
According to the university’s Rector, Sudharto, Indonesia’s use of fossil energy is still as high as 95 percent, using petroleum, natural gas, and coal, and the remaining five percent is made up of new renewable energy alternatives.
Though national renewable energy consumption is only five percent, it is targeted to be increased to 17 percent by 2025.
Pertamina General Manager Retail Fuel Marketing Region IV Rifky Hardijanto Effendi added that, with the funding for construction of this facility, this is the third time Pertamina has contributed to construction at the university.
“We distributed Rp7.2 billion to build the Geophysics and Geothermal facility, and earlier we also helped construct the building at the university’s Faculty of Economics and Faculty of Engineering,” he said.
