West Sumatra Government's Green Energy Barn
The West Sumatra government stated that it would continue its ambition to become a green energy barn. Since 2013 until now they have mapped five potential renewable energy sources.
Quoting the official website of the Government of West Sumatra , the governor also drew up a regional general energy plan ( RUED ) and stipulated it through Regional Regulation No. 11/2019 which applies from 2019 to 2050. Mahyeldi , the Governor of West Sumatra said , was trying to develop green energy in Mentawai.
Head of the West Sumatra Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Office, Herry Martinus, said that biomass energy would focus on Mentawai because the island district is a priority for electricity development. Currently, the supply of energy in the Mentawai , 90 % diesel. This is because some data from the government shows that there is a surplus of electricity.
The West Sumatra government stated that it would continue its ambition to become a green energy barn. Since 2013 until now they have mapped out five potential sources of renewable energy. The potential includes 1,100 MW of water resources, 1,705 MW of geothermal equivalent, 923.10 MW of biomass, 5,898 MW of solar power and 428 MW of wind.
"So, we do have potential. Starting from water, geothermal then biomass, solar, ocean and others. Now, geothermal development has been exploited," he said.
"Then in Rao Pasaman there is PT Medco which will develop it," added Herry.
Apart from geothermal energy, the government is also in the process of building a mini-hydro scale generator. "In Solok Selatan. Under 10 MW," he said.
They will also develop a PLTMH in Mentawai, in North Pagai to be precise. "Micro hydro is around 300 KW. It is under one MW that is clear," he said.
There is also an additional biomass generator in Siberut but the position has not been determined. "More wanted, private and national companies."
In addition, during energy exploration some are in densely populated areas, agricultural areas and the like.
"The government wants to overcome the problem by creating new problems which also may not necessarily solve the first problem," he said while saying that in energy development, people's voices are often ignored.
