Pertamina Geothermal aims for business expansion into green data centers

State-owned PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGEO) has indicated plans to explore the development of geothermal-powered green data centers in Indonesia.

To this end, the company is collaborating with the Indonesia Data Center Provider Organization (IDPRO) and the University of Indonesia to create a development roadmap based on technical and commercial recommendations. This will then be the basis for the project’s implementation phase.

According to PGEO Director of Exploration and Development Edwil Suzandi, the growth of internet users and industrial digitalization in Indonesia will create a sustained need for more domestic data centers. Based on projects, about 26% of the increase in electricity demand by 2030 will be driven by data center growth.

Hendra Surkakusama, Chairman of IDPRO, emphasized that using geothermal power for data centers addresses two challenges simultaneously – emissions reduction, and the need for long-term energy availability.

“Integrating geothermal energy as a green power source for  data center development  opens up opportunities for innovative, sustainable solutions that meet future industrial needs. We are ready to provide academic support to ensure this project delivers maximum benefits,” further added Dalhar Susanto, Deputy Dean at the Faculty of Engineering, University of Indonesia.

Data center demand is already being considered as a growth driver for geothermal power generation in other parts of the world, primarily in the United States but examples can be mentioned as well in Taiwan. A report published by Project InnerSpace earlier this year geothermal power can supply data centers at costs that are competitive with natural gas owing to advances made in developing Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS).

Source: Katadata.co.id