Project InnerSpace, a nonprofit organization focused on removing barriers to large-scale geothermal development, has partnered with the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), a leading energy think tank in Indonesia, to help accelerate the growth of Indonesia’s geothermal sector.
Energy industry giant ABB has outlined its keenness to play a role in growing Indonesia’s geothermal industry.
In a news article posted on the group’s website on 26 May, 2025, Abhinav Harikumar, Vice President ABB Energy Industries, Southeast Asia, highlighted the country’s huge geothermal energy potential.
“Indonesia is harnessing its vast geothermal potential to drive a sustainable energy transition,” said Harikumar.
As one of the world’s leading geothermal-rich nations, the country is strategically integrating this clean energy into its national mix to bolster energy security, he added.
“Geothermal plays a central role in Indonesia’s National Energy Policy and is key to achieving its ambitious renewable energy targets, including net-zero emissions by 2060 and new pathways for economic growth and energy independence.”
ABB already has a strong track record in Indonesia’s geothermal sector through the Wayang Windu geothermal power plant operated by Star Energy.
In collaborations with companies like ABB, Star Energy retrofitted its cooling tower, with ABB upgrading the Distributed Control System (DCS) to boost capacity.
Another project within this plant involved the upgrade of Human Machine Interface (HMI) enhanced operational efficiency and safety of the plant’s operation.
Harikumar said such projects and collaborations were vital to underpinning the successful long-term growth of the sector.
“Realising geothermal energy’s potential requires clear strategies and industry collaboration,” he noted.
“Private sector collaboration is essential to advancing Indonesia's geothermal projects, with companies like ABB providing critical expertise in automation and electrification. These help to enhance efficiency and address challenges such as connectivity in remote areas.”
Given the high upfront investment for exploration and development, he also added that long-term partnerships will be crucial for scaling geothermal energy and ensuring projects become operational.
“As Indonesia pursues its 2060 net-zero target, maximising geothermal resources will be the key to its renewable energy transition – shaping a more resilient and sustainable energy future.”
Taiwan’s Vice Minister of Economic Affairs, Lai Chien-Hsin, has reiterated the critical role geothermal will play in the island’s energy transition.
A 14th May press release issued by the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Energy Administration flagged recent comments by the Vice Minister from the 2025 Taiwan International Geothermal Conference.
The event, hosted by the Ministry, took place in Taipei in April.In his opening remarks, Vice Minister Lai said promoting renewable energy is critical to achieving sustainability and energy transition goals in Taiwan.
“With Taiwan's favourable geological conditions, it has completed the construction of six geothermal power plants,” the statement read. “This year, more geothermal power plants will be connected to the grid.”
The Vice Minister also welcomed geothermal scholars, developers and experts to the conference, stating that collaboration between international enterprises and local Taiwanese firms can contribute to the island’s net-zero emission goals and address climate challenges.
The Taipei conference brings together leading geothermal experts, government representatives and industry leaders from the United States, New Zealand, Canada, the Philippines, and other countries to explore cutting-edge technologies and the future development of geothermal energy.
Held in a hybrid format with both in-person sessions and online streaming, the conference attracted more than 700 participants from around the world, including representatives from academia, industry, government and research institutions.
This year’s agenda featured a broad range of topics, including the status of geothermal energy development in Taiwan, industry trends, advanced technologies and innovative application, and the role of local governments in promoting geothermal power.
The Energy Administration and the Geological Survey and Mining Management Agency presented Taiwan's geothermal policies and exploration progress.
CPC Corporation and Taiwan Power Company also delivered updates on development strategies and technical breakthroughs, which have attracted investment and interest from both domestic and international companies.
On the second day of the conference, there was also a site visit for to CPC Corporation's Yuanshan No.1 Well, Taiwan's first deep geothermal exploratory well.
“Jointly developed by Academia Sinica and CPC, and currently drilled to a depth of 1,820 metres, this well marks a key milestone for Taiwan's deep geothermal progress,” the Ministry statement noted.
It added that Taiwan aims to strengthen global partnerships, foster innovation and accelerate the growth of its geothermal sector as part of moves to build a long-term and sustainable energy sector.
Enhanced geothermal systems (EGSs) are one among the two reservoir-independent approaches currently being explored by geothermal developers to tap into geothermal energy without relying on natural hydrothermal reservoirs.
National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU) and the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) signed an MOU to collaborate on geothermal research and accelerate the development of Taiwan's geothermal resources.
The advancement of geothermal energy in Vanuatu has reached a significant milestone, with Australia-based Groundlink Energy Pty Ltd now entering the final stage of its geothermal exploration in Takara, North Efate.
Global geothermal developer, Baseload Capital, has signed the first corporate power purchase agreement (CPPA) with Google for the supply of clean geothermal energy across its operations in Taiwan.
PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk (PGE) has signed a Joint Study Agreement (JSA) with Turkish energy company Zorlu Enerji Elektrik Üretim A.Ş (Zorlu Enerji) to encourage intergovernmental cooperation in the renewable sector through joint studies of geothermal projects.
A rapid increase in investment in renewable energy projects in Asia has led to the geothermal power market growth in the region.
PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk (PGE) has recorded a positive financial year through 2024 where the company reported revenues of US$407.12mn in line with the increasing demand for clean energy in Indonesia.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently signed a US$92.6mn financing agreement with PT Supreme Energy Muara Laboh (SEML) to expand Indonesia's geothermal power resources.
Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation recently announced that it has received an order to supply a steam turbine and a generator from PT Inti Karya Persada Tehnik (IKPT), a subsidiary of Toyo Engineering Corporation, and the EPC contractor for the Patuha Geothermal Power Plant Unit 2 in West Java, Indonesia.