Indonesia holds significant potential in geothermal energy as a clean and renewable energy source, particularly on Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
According to data from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Flores has over 30 geothermal prospects with a total capacity of around 900 megawatts.
Since 2017, Flores has even earned the nickname “Geothermal Island.” This strength positions Flores as a strategic region in the national energy transition agenda.
However, the utilization of this energy source remains far from optimal. To date, the total capacity of geothermal power plants (PLTP) operating in Flores only reaches 18 megawatts of electricity (MWe), accounting for less than 25 percent of the region’s electricity demand.
As a result, over 75 percent of NTT’s electricity needs are still met using fossil fuels transported from outside the island.
This reliance significantly burdens the national budget, with no less than IDR 790 billion from the state budget spent annually on fuel subsidies and compensation.
Given the abundant geothermal potential, this situation is seen as an irony in the context of sustainable development. In fact, geothermal energy could provide a long-term solution for energy independence and sustainability in NTT.
Nevertheless, the development of geothermal energy has not been without challenges. Public concern over environmental degradation and loss of livelihood often hinders progress.
These sentiments are largely rooted in a lack of open communication between stakeholders and local communities. Moreover, the public’s limited technical understanding of geothermal energy further widens the trust gap toward such projects.
In response to these challenges, representatives from the central and regional governments, private sector, and non-governmental organizations held a meeting at the NTT Governor’s Office on Apr. 28, 2025.
The meeting, led by the Director General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Governor of NTT, also featured a geothermal expert from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Dr. Pri Utami, representing the academic community.
The forum aimed to find common ground among stakeholders to ensure that geothermal development proceeds in a fair and sustainable manner. Cross-sector collaboration is essential to create an inclusive energy management model.
During the meeting, Dr. Utami presented five key strategic steps. She emphasized that energy development must not reduce the value of local wisdom, which has long maintained harmony between people and nature.
Therefore, cultural approaches must be integrated from the initial design stage of energy projects. Ignoring local values would likely lead to social resistance.
“There needs to be a connection between local culture and traditions with efforts to preserve nature and improve community welfare through geothermal energy,” she stated.
Dr. Utami also stressed the importance of mapping local economic activities before launching geothermal projects. She noted that geothermal utilization should not stand alone but must synergize with the community’s economic activities.
The potential in tourism, agriculture, and the creative economy should be identified as complementary sectors. In this way, geothermal projects would produce electricity and foster broader economic ecosystems.
Integrating geothermal energy with the local economy would enhance community resilience to change and reduce economic dependence on a single sector.
Dr. Utami further called for special regulations on direct geothermal utilization. Such regulations are essential to create more employment opportunities based on clean and sustainable energy.
Equally important, she said, is education. Localized education initiatives are believed to cultivate a sense of ownership over the region’s energy potential. Young people who understand their region’s potential can become empowered agents of change.
“We need to nurture scientific character through geothermal education, including local content on geology and Indonesia’s geothermal potential, both in formal schools and public learning spaces,” she added.
The final point Dr. Utami highlighted was the importance of environmental transparency. Open access to baseline environmental data and monitoring outcomes is crucial for helping communities understand changes around geothermal project areas and the mitigation efforts being undertaken.
Such transparency not only helps prevent conflict but also serves as the basis for joint periodic evaluations.
“Participatory monitoring becomes more feasible when data is accessible to the public,” she concluded.
As a higher education institution, UGM plays a vital role in supporting geothermal energy development.
The university can contribute by producing highly competent human resources, improving exploration quality, developing environmentally friendly extraction technologies, and preparing scientific studies to ensure that geothermal energy development is safe, community-oriented, and sustainable.
As a university committed to community service, UGM also serves as a bridge between technology and local wisdom. Academic support is expected to strengthen the region’s social and scientific legitimacy of energy development.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Photographs: Dr. Pri Utami