Wayang Windu Geothermal power plant- Indonesia, overview

 Wayang Windu Geothermal power plant- Indonesia, overview

 Sustainable Energy 

 Geothermal 

By Putra
5 minutes read

Wayang Windu Geothermal power plant- Indonesia

Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Plant is a geothermal power plant located in West Java, Indonesia. It is operated by PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy, a subsidiary of Pertamina, the state-owned oil and gas company in Indonesia.

Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Plant: A Table Summary

Location: Pangalengan, South Bandung, West Java, Indonesia Owner: Star Energy Geothermal Installed Capacity: 227 MW (Unit 1: 110 MW, Unit 2: 117 MW) Technology: Binary Cycle Year of Operation: Unit 1: 2000, Unit 2: 2009 Geothermal Area: Approximately 40 km² Reservoir Type: Liquid-dominated, overlaid by three separate vapor-dominated reservoirs Operation Contract: Until 2039 with PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE) Energy Sales Contract: Up to 400 MW with PGE & PT PLN

SpecificationValue
LocationPangalengan, South Bandung, West Java, Indonesia
OwnerStar Energy Geothermal
Installed Capacity227 MW (Unit 1: 110 MW, Unit 2: 117 MW)
TechnologyBinary Cycle
Year of OperationUnit 1: 2000, Unit 2: 2009
Geothermal AreaApproximately 40 km²
Reservoir TypeLiquid-dominated, overlaid by three separate vapor-dominated reservoirs
Operation ContractUntil 2039 with PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE)
Energy Sales ContractUp to 400 MW with PGE & PT PLN

Additional Information:

  • Largest geothermal power plant in Indonesia: Wayang Windu is the largest geothermal power plant in Indonesia.
  • Advanced technology: It uses binary cycle technology, which is efficient for moderate-temperature geothermal resources.
  • Significant contribution: The plant contributes significantly to Indonesia's energy mix and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Challenges: Challenges include technical management of the reservoir, environmental impacts (e.g., greenhouse gas emissions, water usage), and social aspects (e.g., community relocation).
  • Development potential: There is potential for further expansion and utilization of geothermal energy for non-electric applications (e.g., agriculture, tourism).


The power plant has a total installed capacity of 227 MW and utilizes the geothermal energy from the Wayang Windu geothermal field, which is located in the Bandung Regency. The field has an estimated potential of 600 MW of geothermal energy.

The Wayang Windu geothermal power plant consists of two power stations, the Wayang Windu I and II. Wayang Windu I has an installed capacity of 110 MW and started operation in 1999, while Wayang Windu II has an installed capacity of 117 MW and started operation in 2009.

Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source that utilizes the heat from the Earth's core to generate electricity. Indonesia is one of the world's leading producers of geothermal energy, with an estimated potential of 28,000 MW of geothermal energy. The Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Plant is an important contributor to the country's energy mix, providing clean and sustainable electricity to the people of Indonesia.


History of  Wayang Windu Geothermal power plant- Indonesia

The history of the Wayang Windu geothermal field dates back to the early 1980s when exploration drilling was first conducted in the area. The geothermal field is located in the Bandung Regency of West Java, Indonesia.

In 1992, a consortium of companies comprising Unocal Corporation, Premier Oil, and Star Energy obtained the exploration rights to the Wayang Windu geothermal field. The consortium conducted further exploration activities, including drilling, to assess the geothermal resource potential of the area.

In 1994, the consortium signed a 30-year joint operation contract with the Indonesian government to develop the Wayang Windu geothermal field. Construction of the first power plant, Wayang Windu I, began in 1996 and was completed in 1999 with an installed capacity of 110 MW.

In 2000, the consortium sold its stake in the Wayang Windu project to Star Energy, a subsidiary of Salamander Energy, which subsequently became part of the Ophir Energy Group. Star Energy continued to operate the Wayang Windu I power plant and conducted further development of the geothermal field.

In 2005, Star Energy signed a joint operation contract extension with the Indonesian government to continue operating the Wayang Windu geothermal field for an additional 30 years. In 2009, the Wayang Windu II power plant, with an installed capacity of 117 MW, was completed and began operation.

In 2017, PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy, a subsidiary of Pertamina, acquired the Wayang Windu geothermal project from Ophir Energy. PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy is currently operating the Wayang Windu I and II power plants, which have a combined installed capacity of 227 MW. The Wayang Windu geothermal power plant continues to be an important contributor to Indonesia's energy mix, providing clean and sustainable electricity to the people of Indonesia.


Wayang Windu Geothermal power plant- Indonesia, Technology

The Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Plant utilizes binary cycle technology to generate electricity from the geothermal resource. Binary cycle technology is a type of geothermal power generation that uses a heat exchanger to transfer the heat from the geothermal fluid to a secondary fluid with a lower boiling point, which then vaporizes to drive a turbine.

The Wayang Windu geothermal field produces high-pressure, high-temperature geothermal fluid with temperatures up to 320°C and pressures up to 25 MPa. The geothermal fluid is extracted from the reservoir using production wells and is transported to the power plant through pipelines.

At the power plant, the geothermal fluid is fed into a binary cycle system, where it is used to vaporize a secondary fluid, which is typically an organic compound with a lower boiling point than water, such as isobutane or pentane. The vaporized secondary fluid drives a turbine, which in turn drives a generator to produce electricity.

After passing through the turbine, the vaporized secondary fluid is cooled and condensed back into a liquid, and then pumped back to the heat exchanger to be heated again by the geothermal fluid. The geothermal fluid is then re-injected back into the reservoir to maintain the pressure and sustainability of the geothermal resource.

The use of binary cycle technology offers several advantages for geothermal power generation, including high efficiency, low emissions, and minimal environmental impact. It also enables the generation of electricity from geothermal resources with lower temperatures and pressures, which may not be suitable for other types of geothermal power generation technologies.


Wayang Windu Geothermal power plant- Indonesia, environment impact

The Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Plant has a relatively low environmental impact compared to traditional fossil fuel power plants. Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source that emits low levels of greenhouse gases and air pollutants, making it a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels.

One of the main environmental impacts of geothermal power plants is the release of geothermal fluids, which can contain dissolved minerals and gases, such as hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. However, the Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Plant uses a closed-loop system to extract and reinject geothermal fluids, minimizing the risk of environmental contamination and reducing the amount of fluids that need to be discharged.

The reinjection of geothermal fluids back into the reservoir also helps to maintain the pressure and sustainability of the geothermal resource. The Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Plant has implemented measures to monitor and mitigate any potential environmental impacts, including regular water quality testing and monitoring of air emissions.

Additionally, the construction and operation of the power plant have created job opportunities and provided economic benefits to the local community. The Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Plant has also contributed to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the transition to a more sustainable energy system in Indonesia.

However, like all energy infrastructure, geothermal power plants can still have environmental impacts, particularly during the construction phase, which can disrupt ecosystems and habitats. Therefore, it is important to carefully assess and manage any potential environmental impacts associated with geothermal power plants to ensure their sustainability and minimize their impact on the environment.


Wayang Windu Geothermal power plant- Indonesia, economical impact

The Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Plant has had a significant economic impact on Indonesia, both locally and nationally. The power plant provides a source of clean and sustainable energy, which has helped to reduce the country's reliance on fossil fuels and improve energy security.

The construction and operation of the Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Plant have also created jobs and provided economic benefits to the local community. The project has employed a significant number of workers during the construction phase, and ongoing maintenance and operation of the power plant require a skilled workforce.

The Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Plant has also contributed to the local economy by providing a reliable source of electricity. The power plant supplies electricity to the Java-Bali grid, which serves the most populous areas of Indonesia. The electricity generated by the power plant helps to support local industries, businesses, and households, and contributes to the economic growth of the region.

Moreover, the use of geothermal energy in Indonesia helps to reduce the country's reliance on imported fossil fuels, which can have a significant impact on the national economy. Indonesia has significant geothermal resources, and the development of geothermal power plants can help to diversify the country's energy mix and provide a more sustainable and secure source of energy.

In addition, the Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Plant has contributed to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, which is beneficial both environmentally and economically. By reducing the reliance on fossil fuels, the power plant helps to mitigate the negative economic impacts associated with climate change, such as the cost of damages from extreme weather events and the impact on agriculture and fisheries.


Wayang Windu Geothermal power plant- Indonesia, financial and international investment

The Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Plant was developed and is operated by a joint venture between PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy and Marubeni Corporation. 

The project was financed through a combination of equity and debt financing from local and international sources.

The Indonesian government has been actively promoting the development of geothermal power as part of its strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the share of renewable energy in the country's energy mix. The government has provided various incentives and support measures to attract investment in the sector, including tax incentives, feed-in tariffs, and risk guarantees.

International organizations such as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the Global Environment Facility have also provided financing and technical assistance to support the development of geothermal power in Indonesia, including the Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Plant.

The development of the Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Plant has attracted international investment and contributed to the growth of the geothermal industry in Indonesia. The project has demonstrated the potential of geothermal energy as a reliable and sustainable source of electricity, and has helped to increase investor confidence in the sector.

Furthermore, the Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Plant has helped to position Indonesia as a leader in the global geothermal industry, with the country now ranked as the world's second-largest geothermal power producer after the United States. This has created opportunities for further international investment in the sector, which could support the growth of the industry and contribute to Indonesia's economic development.


Wayang Windu Geothermal power plant- Indonesia, energy contribution

The Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Plant is a significant contributor to Indonesia's energy mix, providing a reliable source of electricity to the Java-Bali grid. The power plant has a total installed capacity of 227 MW and generates approximately 1,470 GWh of electricity annually, which is equivalent to the energy consumption of around 500,000 households.

Geothermal power is an important component of Indonesia's energy mix, accounting for around 5% of the country's total electricity generation. The development of geothermal power in Indonesia has been identified as a key priority by the government, which aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the country's energy mix to 23% by 2025.

The Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Plant contributes to the achievement of this target, providing a reliable and sustainable source of electricity that is not subject to fuel price volatility or supply disruptions. The power plant also helps to reduce Indonesia's reliance on imported fossil fuels, which can have significant economic and energy security implications.

The Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Plant plays an important role in Indonesia's energy sector, contributing to the country's energy security, economic growth, and efforts to mitigate climate change.


Conclusion of  Wayang Windu Geothermal power plant- Indonesia, overview

The Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Plant is a significant renewable energy project located in West Java, Indonesia. It has a total installed capacity of 227 MW and generates approximately 1,470 GWh of electricity annually, providing a reliable and sustainable source of electricity to the Java-Bali grid.

The construction and operation of the Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Plant have had a positive impact on Indonesia's economy, providing employment opportunities, contributing to the local and national economy, and reducing the country's reliance on imported fossil fuels. The project has also attracted international investment and support, positioning Indonesia as a leader in the global geothermal industry.

The Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Plant has also helped to mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the development of renewable energy sources. It plays an important role in Indonesia's efforts to achieve its target of increasing the share of renewable energy in the country's energy mix to 23% by 2025.

Overall, the Wayang Windu Geothermal Power Plant is an important example of the potential of geothermal energy as a reliable and sustainable source of electricity, and highlights the benefits of investing in renewable energy to support economic growth, energy security, and efforts to mitigate climate change

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