TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The Indonesian and
Philippines governments have agreed to sign a
cooperation for the energy sector, particularly for
the development of geothermal technology. Four points
for cooperation were agreed upon and signed during a
meeting of representatives from the two countries.
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo
Yusgiantoro announced this to the press after
accompanying President Megawati for a meeting with the
President Arroyo of the Philippines at the State
Palace today (12/11).
The first point of the agreement is to develop the
ASEAN gas treaty, to supply gas from East Kalimantan
to the Philippines. Indonesian have also agreed to
supply coal from South Sumatra and South Kalimantan to
meet the needs of an electric power station in the
Philippines. It has been calculated that the
Philippines needs 35 million tons of coal in 2005 to
operate the electric power station.
At the same time, the Philippines government offered
geothermal technology to Indonesia. Purnomo said the
Philippines has been a successful developer of
geothermal technology and had the potential to produce
more than 20 thousands megawatts. Indonesia, on the
other hand, is currently capable of producing less
than 5 percent of this figure. Minister of Foreign
Affairs Hassan Wirajuda said the government would make
a concession with the Philippines to develop
geothermal technology in Indonesia.
Apart from geothermal technology, the cooperation is
also set to include the supply of natural gas. The
Philippines requested that Indonesia supply 1.3
million tons of liquid natural gas. We said we would
be prepared to supply this amount in 2005-2006,
Wirajuda added.
The cooperation in the energy sector forms part of
numerous agreements reached by the two countries this
afternoon in Jakarta. Agreements for cooperation in
security, fisheries, research and technology, and
tourism were also reached. President Arroyo has paid a
two day visit to Indonesia as a follow up to President
Megawati's recent visit to the Philippines.
(Dara Meutia Uning)
