PT Pertamina launches geothermal-based green hydrogen project

The project will be replicated in other areas.

PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk (PGE) has launched the Ulubelu Green Hydrogen Pilot Project.

“This project is a crucial part of PGE's efforts to build an end-to-end green hydrogen ecosystem, from production and distribution to utilisation, to support the transition to a low-carbon industry,” the company said.

The Ulubelu green hydrogen project is a clean energy development initiative that utilises a combination of geothermal energy as a renewable energy source and modern, more energy-efficient electrolysis technology. This facility is designed to produce up to 100 kilograms of green hydrogen per day with a high efficiency rate of 82% to 88%.

PGE President Director Julfi Hadi said the project could be “a model that can be replicated in other geothermal working areas, whilst also opening up opportunities to accelerate off-grid solutions for transportation and low-carbon industries.”

Julfi said this technology will be adopted in various other PGE Geothermal Working Areas (WKP) in the future.

The facility also functions as a centre for technological learning, commercial feasibility testing, and market studies to map potential demand in the next phase.

PGE also said it continues to expand geothermal development in Sumatra through strategic initiatives.

In the Ulubelu Geothermal Working Area, PGE inaugurated the 55-megawatt (MW) Gunung Tiga Geothermal Power Plant (PLTP) greenfield exploration project. It has also completed the key operational phase of the Lumut Balai Unit 2 Geothermal Power Plant, now supplying electricity to the national grid.

PGE’s other initiatives include conducting a feasibility study for the development of the 55 MW Lumut Balai Unit 3 and an exploration feasibility study for the 55 MW Unit 4.