THE ASEAN GEOTHERMAL OUTLOOK AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

OF DEVELOPMENT AND UTILIZATION

Vincent T. Radja, PT. PLN (Persero) State Electricity Jakarta Indonesia

Abstract - The ASEAN Countries currently has nearly 2500 MWe of installed geothermal power capacity and
this will increase in the near future. The widely distributed nature of the geothermal resources in the ASEAN
member countries will have a great benefit for increased market for power generation. Among ASEAN countries
having notable production geothermal resources use in electrical power generation are the Phillipines,
Indonesia and Thailand. Many other members countries like Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar as well as Laos also
have geothermal resources capable of electrical power generation and direct used, there has been a strong
emphasis to strengthen the survey and exploration to day. The paper dealing with the exploration, production
and utilization of geothermal resources and the impact of the ASEAN geothermal development in the world
geothermal scenario.
1.

INTRODUCTION

The ASEAN countries at present, has a total capacity of 2519,5 MW geothermal electricity, of which 1922 MW
in Philippines, 587,5 MW in Indonesia, 75 kW in Thailand. Malaysia, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar under
investigation stages. With this capacity, the total commercial geothermal power plant in 3 ASEAN member
countries was 30 percent of the total world geothermal electricity installed in 1998. (1)
With the 188 geothermal power plant commisioning in 1985 and other power plants in the succedding years,
geothermals contribution to the world geothermal power expected to be increase by ASEAN (Philippines,
Indonesia and Thailand). The extraction of geothermal fluid for electricity may increase in the next years at an
average of 3137,25 MW of installed capacity in the year 2000.
Present day technology allows the utilization of fluids at temperature between 1300 C and 2500C but to day
technology be possible to lower this temperature range to 900 - 1300C (Medium enthalphy). In ASEAN
countries there are high temperatures hydrothermal resources (Tiwi, Makban, Tongonan, Palimpinon ;
Philippines), dry steam fields (Kamojang, Darajat ; Indonesia), binary cycle (Fang, Thailand).
There are same non-electrical uses such as in Salak, Indonesia, Fang Thailand, Sabah Malaysia, Mandalaya
Myanmar and Bichoa Vietnam. ASEAN geothermal industry has aquired considerable experience in this sector
and it is also active at international level.
2.

GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES

The interior of the earth stores an enormous quantity of energy in the form of heat, which if it is brought to the
surface by a carrier fluid can be applied to various uses, depending on its characteristics and on different
applications (heating, desalination, electric power generation etc); this is called geothermal energy. The most
abvious geothermal phenomena are the geysers and the mud ponds, description of which have been found
even in Roman manuscripts (Lucretius Caro, De rerum nature). The geysers consist of high spouts of steam
mixed with gas that shot violently out of the surface, the hot mud ponds appear as steam simmering through
muddy water which is kept constantly boiling, the fumorals and hot water springs are also geothermal
phenomena.
In Italy, the best known geothermal area is located in Lardarello; its exploration goes back as far as 1929, for the
extraction of boric acid, thanks to the Tuscan anatomist Paolo Mascani. At the beginning of this century the
possibility of utilizing the energetic contents of the area for the production of electric power recognized, and in
1904 first power plants was installed running on natural steam obtained by drilling. As the years passed, new
power plants were built in Italy, while other countries Philippines, Indonesia, Iceland, New Zealand, Japan,
Mexico, United States, etc; began, even if slowly, to take an interest in this energy source and to utilize it for
industrial purpose, for heating homes or for generation of electricity. By the end of 2000, geothermal power
stations throughout the world totalled more than 8000 MW, of which in ASEAN countries nearly 4000 MW. (2)

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The most important of these geothermal areas is the so called circum-Pacific Fire Belt that, running along the
coast of California and Mexico, involves all of Central America and runs along the Western side of South
America; further west, it enters New Zealand, New Guinea, Indonesia, Japan, the Eastern part of Siberia,
returning then to North America. Another important branch runs from the coast of the Meditarrancean along
Sinai, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and gradually dies out in South Africa. The Atlantic branch, which runs in
North-South direction, along the middle of the ocean, represents another geologically anomalous zone, with a
high heat flow, and appears on the surface with islands formed through volcanic eruption, for example, Iceland
and the Azores.
Research of geothermal energy started first in industrialized nations like USA, Italy, New Zealand, Japan, but at
present it involves a very fast range of countries; Argentina, Chile, China, Elsavador, France, Greece, Hungary,
India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Peru, Columbia, and more (apart,
obviously, from countries with a long geothermal tradition).
3.

GEOTHERMAL POWER GENERATIONS SYSTEMS

3.1.
Geothermal Systems
There are several kinds of geothermal power generating system. The most used are hot water systems, liquid
dominated systems and vapour dominated .The binary cycle especially useful with brine at less than 1900C. The
geothermal systems that can be utilized for power generation can be classified under :
3.1.1.

3.1.2.

3.1.3.

3.1.4.

4.

Hot Water Systems

These contain water at 500C to 1000C which can be used for heating homes, for various agricultural and
industrial applications. Well know and exploided hot water areas exist in the Hungarian Basin, in the
Paris and Southern France Basins, in the Russia. In ASEAN countries hot water areas exist in many
volcanic Basin especially in Northern Thailand, Fang area, where the first demonstration of 750 KW,
have been installed, in Lahendong Minahasa Sulawesi Indonesia plans are being made for a 2500 KW
demonstration unit besides the Sibayak 2000 in North Sumatera.
Liquid Dominated Systems
These contain pressurized water, at a temperature generally considerably higher than 1000C and limited
quantities of steam. Example of systems of this type are those of Wairakei, Kawerau (New Zealand),
Cerro Prieto (Mexico), ASEAN, areas of this type found in Philippines (Tiwi, Makban, Palimpinon,
Tongonan), Indonesia (Dieng, Salak, Lahendong, Kerinci).
Vapour Dominated Systems
This type of systems produce dry, generally superheated steam, with small quantities of other gases,
mainly CO2 and H2S. The typical utilization of superheated steam is electricity generation. The
currently known and exploited superheated steam systems are of Lardarello and Monte Amiate (Italy),
the Geyser (California) and Matsukawa (Japan), in ASEAN, these systems in Kamojang and Darajat
(Indonesia).
Other Geothermal Systems
Other geothermal systems not so far commercially exploited, or can be used in other sectors, apart from
electric power generation such as heating, production of heat for industrial processes, aquculture, green
house and curative purposes.
The temperature of the system generally between 200C - 1000C. In ASEAN countries these systems are
found in Sabah (Malaysia) and many volcanic areas in Philippines and Indonesia.
GEOTHERMAL POWER AROUND THE WORLD

4.1.
The Worlds Installed Geothermal Electric Power
Geothermal energy is an increasingly important source of electrical power. The worlds first commercial
geothermal power plant was operated at Lardarello in Italy in 1904. New Zealand become the second
geothermal power country and was followed by the USA, Mexico, Japan, Iceland, Philippines and Indonesia. At
present morethan 25 countries utilize geothermal energy and are investigating geothermal resources.
In the USA a unit turbine having a capacity of 110 MW has been constructed and one of 150 MW will be
followed. Table 1 shows the total worldwide, installed geothermal electric power capacity. As of July 1984 this
was about 2794,75 MW of which about 1700 MW was from dry steam, 800 MW from single flash, 250 MW

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from double flash and the rest from other procecces. Total geothermal power capacity is expected to reach about
10.000 MW by the end of 2000. (3)
4.2.
Geothermal Contribution to Electricity Generation
The world installed electric power geothermal origin, at the end of 1982, 1986, 1990, 1998 is shown in Table 1
(4)
along with the figures of estimates for the year 2000.
TABLES 1. GEOTHERMAL CONTRIBUTION TO ELECTRICITY GENERATION IN MW
COUNTRIES
Argentine
Costarica
Chile
China
Elsavador
Ethiopia
French (west Indies)
Greece
Guatemale
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Italy
Japan
Kenya
Mexico
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Philippines
Portugal
Turkey
USA
Russia
Romania
Thailand

TOTAL

1982
n/a
4
95
41
32,25
440
215
30
180
202
570
3
0,5
936
11
-

1986
14
95
4
3
41
32,25
500
400
45
580
294
35
894
3
20
2022
11
-

1990
45
30
14
150
5
4
10
15
41
5
142,24
600
400
45
700
294
70
1300
3
21
2370
11
-

1998
2
125
30
32
150
5
4
10
24
49
5
587,5
632
444
112
793
314
70
1922
3
21
2961
91
2
0,75

2000
n/a
170

n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
1159
856
600
n/a
960
440
n/a
2455
n/a
125
3395
110
n/a
n/a

2.794,75

4.932

6.275,25

8.392,5

10.000

81
165

The world geothermal electric power at the end of 1998 was about 8,392,5 MW and nearly 10.000 MW in 2000.
By comparison, the world geothermal electrical power in 1982, 1986, 1990, 1998 and the year 2000 ASEAN
Geothermal represent 21%, 20% , 24% and 30% and 36% (Second in line after USA).
This 36% is abviously a very large figure and indicated that ASEAN geothermal energy plays a very important
role. However, if we distinguish between thermal cycles, dry steam field and hot water geothermal field, then
the contribution of ASEAN geothermal energy especially : hot water geothermal field is clearly show to be
entirely importante nearly 50% from the world geothermal generation. (5)
5.

GEOTHERMAL POWER AROUND THE ASEAN COUNTRIES

5.1.
PHILIPPINES:
Philippines is the leading geothermal country in Asia Pacific and especially ASEAN. In 1984 installed capacity
around 1071 MW and 1997 additional of 851 Mwe totally 1922 Mwe. By the year 2000 will reach 2455 MWe.
(6)
See Figure 1

Advanced in Geothermal development be based on government policy :

Energy crisis in Luzon in early Nineties which led to severe electricity rationing in the capital city of
Manila and let to the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) relinguishing sole control on power
generation.
Issuing of Master Energy Plan after six previous years disbanded of Government Energy Department
Introduction of Build, Operate, Transfer (BOT) Project, Republic Act 6957

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Improvement of Geothermal Development Act to more actractive to private investor

Most of the Geothermal utilization coming from : Makban, Tiwi in Luzon, Bacon Manito, Mt Labo :
Mindanao, Leyte : Visayas, Palimpinon Southern/Northern Negros

The total 2455 MWe representing 25% of National Electricity Consumption of the countries from the available
resources of 8000 MWe. Non electrical used namely for: Crop Drying Plant at Palimpinon to dry coconuts, fruit
and fish. Nearly forty Geothermal prospects have been investigated around the country. Fifteen have been
drilled and developed. It is predicted that the target for 3000 - 4000 MW is a reasonable basis for Philippines to
go ahead facing the year 2010 or 2020. The government policy that speed up the geothermal development
among others is the Philippines Government want to sell off Geothermal power plants currently owned and
operated by NAPOCOR to private sector.
5.2.
THAILAND
Geothermal areas in Thailand are located out of the volcanic zone most of the reservoirs are likely associated
with geological structure (low enthalphy). To develop the medium enthalphy geothermal sources for electricity
generating in Thailand is still in progress. In San Kampaeng EGAT tried to cooperate with JICA (JAPAN) to
established a Joint project to make feasibility of geothermal exploitation reliable in commercial scale using hot
water from the deep exploration well. See Figure 2

For the Pai Geothermal area, the hot water will be used for agricultural products. Mae Chan prospects in
Chiang Rai province was selected to be investigated for shallow reservoir.
The technical cooperation with the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME) were
started in 1990 in Fang Geothermal area where a binary plant of 750 kW already in operation since 1993.
Hot water is used for drying of fruits : bananas, chile and tomato. (7)

5.3.
MALAYSIA
Geothermal potential in Malaysia located in Sabah (North Borneo) and detailed investigation have been done by
Malaysia geothermal group composed of Sabah Electric Board, Universitas Kebangsaan and Jawatan Kaji Bumi
(Geological Survey).
Assistance giving by the PLN Indonesia in 1993-1994 for planning of survey, gelogical, geochemistry and
resistivity survey. Some LLS mission visited PLN exploration drilling activity in Ulumbu Flores in 1994. An
ASEAN Geothermal seminar was held in 1987 in Tawao and its planned that an International Geothermal
Conference be held in Sabah in 1998. 3 prospects site have been identified, Balun, Sampurna and Andrassy.
Andrassy near Tawao City is the first geothermal project be developed by Sabah Electric Board, with the
potential of 5 - 50 MWe. (8)
Having finally realized that geothermal sources have a considerable potential, Malaysia are embarking on an
intense research an development programme aimed at estimating resources by inviting neighboured countries
assistance such as Indonesia and Philippines (1996-1997). With the escalating high price of oil, geothermal
generation has become a competitive and viable option for supplying some of these isolated remote areas. The
Semporna Peninsula in the southeast (Balun and Andrassy) did show some indication of geothermal resources
suitable for electricity generation. See Figure 1
5.4.
VIETNAM
Morethan 60 hotspring have been mapped by geological survey of Vietnam and mission from USA, Iceland,
Italy, New Zealand, Chech, and 12 out of it have been singled out as the most prospective for exploration of
energy generation The 12 hotspring located in 6 geographic areas with temperature between 130-1600C as :
West Vietnam, East Vietnam, Bacgo Plain, North Central, South Central and Nambo Plain. Chemical
composition composed of Bicarbonate sulphate and chloride with temperature of 300C - 100 0C. Detail
exploration has been done in Thach Tru, Quang Ngai Province and Bin Chao near Hochi Minh City. (9) See
Figure 2
Demand for high electricity in Vietnam let to foreign investor from USA (ORMAT) Japan, Italy and New
Zealand to investigate more in detailed the geothermal potential mostly in South Central Vietnam as well as
Nambo Plain due to the dinamic demand centre in Hochiminh City and Danay based on to the electricity
growth of 6,6%. (10)

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5.5.
MYANMAR
A total of 93 hot spring have been located in Myanmar by Myanmar Office of Geological and Mineral
Resources since 1973. Most of the hot spring located in and around the igneous belt of Myanmar. Five structural
lineament which running N-S direction from Yunnan (CHINA) where the Tengchong (Hot Sea) Geothermal
field located. The Myanmar geothermal prospects located between the callision of the Indian plate and the
Eurasion plate resulted of the largest geothermal belt over 150 km Wide extends 3000 km long through parth of
Pakistan, India, Yunnan China, Thibet, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.
In 1990 Joint Survey by Myanmar Geological Survey and UNOCAL in 6 of the geothermal manifestation and
recorded the temperature range between 40 to 60 0 C, subsurface temperature of nearly 1000 C from the shallow
reservoir depth. 20 sites with temperature above 2000C See Figure 2 such as : hot spring in Yebu, Negali,
Lashio, Tilon, Tennaserim, Naung An.
At present electricity generation in Myanmar are being fulfilled by hydropower and thermal (Natural gas, oil
and diesel) Electricity generating increased from 2,676 GWh in 1991 - 1992 to 3,654 GWh in 1995-1996 with
annual growth 11%. Geothermal status in Myanmar have just started as in others ASEAN countries like
Malaysia and South ASIA as Pakistan and East ASIA as KOREA. (11)
5.6.
LAOS
Geothermal prospect in Laos especially Dienbienphu and Nam Thra is an extension of geological condition
from Yunan Province, CHINA in the North, Mandalaya tectonic structure MYANMAR and Chiang Ray,
THAILAND in the West and Lai Chau area near Hanoi VIETNAM in the East. Mostly related to geothermal
medium enthalphy. (12) Detail geological mapping been done by geological survey of Laos. See Figure 2
5.7.
INDONESIA
Electricity in many developing countries like Indonesia is growing at a rate of 12-16% perannum. To meet the
huge requirement its necessary to invite private sector trough BOT or BOO scheme for invest in Indonesia. The
electricity requirement in Indonesia will also have global effect not only on demand but also resources,
environment and goverment policy. The President Decree No. 37/1992 has extended a more clear offer for the
private participation forum bussiness in electrical power sector.
The installed capacity of PT. PLN has grown from 1250 MW in 1976 to 15124 MW in 1996. The initial stage of
its development has been based on oil. But with oil export still playing an import role, the development has
been shifting to hydropower and geothermal based on diversification and conservation policy. The geothermal
resources is estimated about 20.000 MW. As per the end of 1997 the installed capacity reach 587,5 MW,
additional of 190 MW will be on line in 1999, and 450 MW up to the year 2000 giving totally of 1150 MW. (13)
A more ambitius schedule of geothermal development could provide an installed capacity of 5000 MW at the
end of PJP II (the year 2020). (14) more than any other countries in the World These scenario based on 2450 MW
in Sumatera, 2340 MW in Java-Bali and 210 MW in Eastern part of Indonesia (Sulawesi, Mollucas,
Nusatenggara). Or represent less than 25% of Indonesia geothermal resources potential, leaving a lot of room
for market expansion of geothermal industry in Indonesia and included as an area of the most future geothermal
market growth centre of the world. See Figure 1
Since 1994 Government of Indonesia invites private participation in geothermal through BOT or BOO
Concepts, up to now 11 (eleven) Power Purchase Agreement have been signed with PT. PLN (Persero) (State
Electricity Enterprice).
Even with these advatanges geothermal development in Indonesia is very slow due to several factors :
Unit size smaller than hydro and thermal power, Exploration risk of the resources, need 3-5 years, Steam
and electricity price higher than coal energy , Resources located far from the local centre and Difficult to
predict the availability of the resources.

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6.

CONCLUSION

1. The World Geothermal electric power at the end of 1998 was about 8,140,5 MW and about 50% or 2500
MW contribute from ASEAN countries (Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand).
2. Future prospects indicated that by the year 2000 the ASEAN geothermal electric power will reach 36% or
2614 MW in comparison to 10.000 MW from all over the world.
3. ASEN is the only countries where various geothermal systems existed : dry steam field, hot water, liquid and
low enthalphy for direct used.
4. With regard to the geothermal power plant unit, a total of 121 units were in operation throughout the world
since 1982, composed of 46% dry steam, 48% water and liquid dominated type and 6% were binary cycles .
24 unit or 20% from ASEAN (Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand).
5. ASEAN countries as world leader in generation from hot water dominated geothermal system (50%).
6. To day the biggest geothermal turbine unit (110 MW) of Wayang Windu and the biggest well capacity of 40
MW of Darajat located in ASEAN member countries (Indonesia)
7.

REFERENCES

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