Now in her seventh semester, Aling is one of six students who won a scholarship to Bung Hatta University – four of whom are women – and is also part of an internship program at Muara Laboh geothermal plant.
“With this opportunity, I now know Indonesia has big potential in renewable energy, not just in geothermal but also solar, hydropower,” Aling says.
PT Supreme Energy Muara Laboh has provided scholarships to 79 high school and university students from South Solok since the plant started operating in 2019, as part of its corporate social responsibility program.
In addition, PT Supreme Energy Muara Laboh runs an apprenticeship program designed to strengthen the capacity and skills of local young talent through hands-on training and direct mentorship.
The program, known as SPARK (Supreme Energy Academy for Renewable Energy Knowledge), is now in its fourth iteration, involving 22 of the best young talent from West Sumatra.
President and CEO Nisriyanto said the scholarship program had been one of the most effective ways of gaining community support for the geothermal plant and creating local jobs.
In October drilling began on the second phase of the Muara Laboh geothermal power plant, which will supply an additional 435,000 households in Sumatra with clean electricity when it is completed at the end of 2027.
Australia played a catalytic role in financing the expansion by providing a $US15 million concessional loan through the Australian Climate Finance Partnership, which is managed by the Asian Development Bank.
The Australian Climate Finance Partnership is a blended-finance initiative of the Australian Government designed to mobilise private investment for climate and energy projects in the Indo-Pacific.
Its $US15 million loan formed part of the Asian Development Bank’s $92.6 million financing agreement with PT Supreme Energy Muara Laboh for stage two of the geothermal power plant.
Geothermal power – which uses heat from deep underground to produce steam that spins a turbine to generate electricity – is a crucial part of Indonesia’s plan to cut its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2060.
Geothermal energy produces very little greenhouse gas emissions, is unaffected by weather and seasons and unlike solar or wind, it runs continuously day and night.
Indonesia’s position on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” means it has some of the largest geothermal resources on earth, about 40 per cent of global geothermal potential.
“To achieve Indonesia’s net-zero carbon emissions by 2060, it is critical for the private sector to play a strong role in advancing geothermal development,” said David Barton, Principal Investment Specialist, Blended Finance at Asian Development Bank.
However, only about 10 per cent of Indonesia’s reserves have been utilized because the upfront risks and costs of geothermal development remain prohibitively high for many private investors.
Australia’s US$15 million loan de-risked the project by sharing exploration and drilling risks and lowering financing costs.
President and CEO Nisriyanto said Supreme Energy was fortunate to have the support of the Asian Development Bank and Australian Government.
“Geothermal is quite a risky business,” he said. “Having such concessional finance will improve our economy in terms of expanding the project.”
Australian Deputy Ambassador to Indonesia, Gita Kamath, said the Muara Laboh geothermal expansion demonstrates how blended finance can unlock private capital for high impact, low carbon projects.
“Through the Australian Climate Finance Partnership and KINETIK, Australia and Indonesia are working together to harness the economic opportunities of an inclusive energy transition,” she said.
The expansion of Muara Laboh integrates a gender action plan promoting leadership and skilled job opportunities for women, paid STEM internships for female graduates and inclusive HR.
“Fostering a gender-inclusive workplace and expanding job, scholarship and internship opportunities for women enables projects like Muara Laboh to harness the full range of skills and perspectives,” said Amanda Satterly, Principal Social Development Specialist (Gender and Development) at the Asian Development Bank.
“This drives stronger business performance and supports Indonesia’s clean energy sector to meet growing demand.”
The project also supports shallot and chili plantations for the local Nagari community on land not yet used by Supreme Energy, provides health assistance such as cataract surgery, blood donations and programs to reduce stunting and helps develop worship facilities.
Supreme Energy Muara Laboh was granted a 35-year geothermal mining license in 2010, covering a 22,110-hectare concession area.
Ravilqi Medri, who grew up nearby, was 12 when construction started. “It was the first time I saw that in South Solok, very busy traffic and heavy equipment,” she said. “I was very curious about what people will do in my region.”
Ravilqi was inspired to study Mining Engineering at Padang State University and now works as a production apprentice at the geothermal plant.
“In my region is South Solok this is how we can contribute to the development of renewable energy,” she said.
Source : https://kinetik.or.id/scholarships-propel-young-women-into-geothermal-careers-at-muara-laboh/