PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk (PGE) has launched the Ulubelu Green Hydrogen Pilot Project, marking a significant step in the company's efforts to develop clean energy solutions. The company stated that “this project is a crucial part of PGE's efforts to build an end-to-end green hydrogen ecosystem, from production and distribution to utilization, to support the transition to a low-carbon industry.”

Project Specifications and Technology

The Ulubelu green hydrogen project represents a clean energy development initiative that combines geothermal energy as a renewable energy source with modern, more energy-efficient electrolysis technology. The facility is designed to produce up to 100 kilograms of green hydrogen per day, with an efficiency rate of 82% to 88%. The project utilizes geothermal energy, leveraging Indonesia's abundant renewable energy resources to power the hydrogen production process.

This approach integrates established geothermal technology with advanced electrolysis systems to create a sustainable hydrogen production facility.

Strategic Vision and Replication Plans

PGE President Director Julfi Hadi emphasized the project's potential for broader implementation, stating that the project could be “a model that can be replicated in other geothermal working areas, whilst also opening up opportunities to accelerate off-grid solutions for transportation and low-carbon industries.” Hadi confirmed that this technology will be adopted in various other PGE Geothermal Working Areas (WKP) in the future.

The facility serves multiple purposes beyond hydrogen production, functioning as a center for technological learning, commercial feasibility testing, and market studies to map potential demand in the next phase. This comprehensive approach positions the project as both a production facility and a research and development platform for future green hydrogen initiatives.

Broader Geothermal Development Initiatives

PGE continues to expand geothermal development in Sumatra through strategic initiatives beyond the hydrogen project. In the Ulubelu Geothermal Working Area, the company has inaugurated the 55-megawatt (MW) Gunung Tiga Geothermal Power Plant (PLTP) greenfield exploration project. The company has also completed the key operational phase of the Lumut Balai Unit 2 Geothermal Power Plant, which is now supplying electricity to the national grid.

This facility represents another component of PGE's expanding geothermal portfolio in the region. PGE's development pipeline includes additional projects in various stages of planning and feasibility assessment. The company is conducting a feasibility study for the development of the 55 MW Lumut Balai Unit 3 and an exploration feasibility study for the 55 MW Unit 4, indicating continued expansion of geothermal capacity in the area.

Industry Context and Market Position

The green hydrogen pilot project positions PGE at the intersection of geothermal energy and hydrogen production technologies. The initiative represents an integration of renewable energy sources with emerging clean fuel production methods, targeting applications in transportation and low-carbon industries. The project's focus on off-grid solutions suggests potential applications in remote areas where traditional energy infrastructure may be limited.

The combination of geothermal energy reliability and hydrogen storage capabilities could provide consistent power solutions for various industrial and transportation applications. The facility's role as a testing and learning center indicates PGE's approach to scaling hydrogen production technology. By establishing commercial feasibility testing and market studies as core functions, the project aims to gather data and experience necessary for broader deployment across PGE's geothermal working areas.

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