Jakarta, TAMBANG,- Mataloko, TAMBANG,- The development of the Mataloko Geothermal Power Plant (PLTP) and several other PLTPs in Flores-NTT has received various responses. In general, there are two large groups, namely those who reject it for various reasons. There are also community groups who support the basis and reasons.
During a visit to the Mataloko PLTP, www.tambang.co.id had the opportunity to see firsthand the progress of the construction of the Mataloko PLTP. On this occasion, we had Emerensiana Wawo, (60), a resident of Ulubelu Village, Mataloko where this power plant was to be built.
On this occasion, Emerensiana emphasized that the presence of the Geothermal project in his area had had a significant impact. The most felt benefits start from opening and improving road access. The road to the village is good which helps people get to the gardens. Then there was an increase in the economy along with the start of construction of pending infrastructure. Residents can now sell vegetables, chilies and chicken for consumption by workers. Then what is no less important is employment opportunities for local residents. PLN has also implemented several CSR programs which the public has begun to enjoy.
“The people here are 100% accepting. Yesterday’s rumor, which stated that people here were rejecting it, was a lie. For us villagers, I was the first person to say that in the DPR RI yesterday, that Ulubelu was 100% ready to accept this change from the start. In fact, since 1999 (the project started) until today,” said Emerensiana.
He hopes that the project, which will start soon, will produce electricity because with that the community will receive even greater benefits. He and the community said they were happy that the area could produce electricity which could be used not only by the Ngada community but also by the entire Flores Island.
“Our message is, hopefully this (PLTP) will continue to be implemented, and the sooner the better, so that it can reduce yesterday’s negative rumors. So that it can become a reality that is beneficial for everyone, including the people who spread negative rumors,” added Emerensiana.
Mrs. Emerensiana talked a lot, including about how the development of the PLTP started. He also admitted that he had received a lot of information and knowledge about PLTP. Including several geothermal experts who visited the area.
Plant Vegetables Near Manifest
On this occasion, www.tambang.co.id also had the opportunity to visit the manifest which has been widely published so far. There are still several points of steam rising, the smell of sulfur is strong. Occasionally there was a roaring sound like boiling water.
Regarding this manifest, Emerensiana admitted that the hot mudflow actually existed when he was a child. Long before the presence of the Geothermal project in Mataloko. In fact, according to him, these mudflows have existed since the time of his ancestors.
“Because it appears there, it’s hot, with small springs, hot springs in people’s gardens, in people’s houses. It started when we were little, before our ancestors perhaps,” he explained.
He also believes that according to the explanations of several geologists, the hot mudflow will disappear by itself, when it is diverted to wells that will be drilled and used as a source of electrical power.
“But when they arrived, started surveying, started carrying out this geothermal development, when the well was drilled, maybe the heat was diverted there (wellpad). Now it has been proven, the area around it is green again. At that location, yesterday it went viral, saying this was like in the Sidoarjo mud, Lapindo mud, it might not be like that,” he stressed again.
Not only that, this area has now been purchased by PLN.
What’s more interesting, not far from the manifest is a vegetable garden. The editorial team met Marselus Gone (40), a resident of Wogo Village, Mataloko. He is one of eight members of Karang Taruna who cultivate these vegetables. He is tending to vegetable plants.
He admitted that he was not afraid or disturbed by the manifest. He even said that gradually they would expand the Garapan area with various types of vegetables, chilies and much more.
He said that the vegetables planted did not use organic fertilizer, because the land was fertile. Likewise with water supply, there are absolutely no problems.
“So, there is no story that because of Geothermal (Geothermal) the plants are not growing, the water flow is lacking. This is the proof, these vegetables are growing, even though this is only 30-40 meters from the manifest location,” said Gone
Not only that, not far from there, about 100 meters from the manifest location, there is also a candlenut tree growing abundantly with fruit. Likewise other trees. There was no visible damage to residents’ crops as widely reported.
For your information, the construction of the Geothermal Power Plant (PLTP) project is currently in the preparation phase for 4 drilling sites (wellpad A, B, C, D). It is hoped that from there it will produce electricity with a capacity of 2X10 megawatts (MW). It is planned that at the beginning of the year the drilling phase will begin, which for one Welpad will take approximately 6 months. It is planned that if the initial two wellpads can produce electricity with a capacity of 10 MW each, the target will be COD in 2027.
Source: www.tambang.co.id
