UGM geologist, Dr. Pri Utami, has been granted an award from New Zealand for her dedication to develop geothermal energy. The award was presented by Minister of State Services on 8 September in Jakarta, attended by New Zealand Ambassador to Indonesia and Asean.
“The award was presented during the anniversary of the 40th partnership between New Zealand and Asean countries,” said Pri Utami on Wednesday (23/9) at UGM.
Pri Utami said Indonesia and Asean are important partners for New Zealand in terms of geothermal development. In particular, UGM has teamed up with Auckland University . Pri Utami who did her graduate and doctoral programmes in New Zealand said she had initiated the geothermal research for a long time.
Pri Utami also developed capacity building for staff from geothermal companies in Indonesia and West Pacific. In North Sulawesi along with local government and universities, she led a geothermal research.
“In Lahendong and Tomohon, North Sulawesi, we set up the geothermal education station together with UGM students conducting community services there,” said the UGM Head for Geothermal Research Centre.
In this event Pri Utami reaffirmed the potential of geothermal energy possessed by Indonesia, which is currently 20 thousands megawatts. Some has been used for power plants, agriculture, fisheries, etc. According to Pri Utami, energy development in Indonesia should be aimed at clean energy development that is safe for the environment whilst meeting the national energy requirement.
“It is here that UGM has a role as a research university. We have to focus and train the human resource in geothermal energy development,” she concluded.