Model design of geothermal development plan in conservation forest: A case study in Mount Ciremai National Park

Abstract

In 2019, Indonesia has installed about 2.13 GW of geothermal and made it the second largest country utilizing geothermal. However, the capacity is less than 10% of the total potential and far from the target of 9.3 GW in 2030. A challenge in geothermal development is the environmental issue where more than 50% of the potential is located in conservation and protected forests. Recently, a regulation has been issued allowing geothermal development in those areas. A study to design a model of the forest area management for geothermal development was carried out in the Mount Ciremai National Park by identifying inventorying and evaluating the changes in forest zone utilization. There are three approaches applied in the study: ecology, social, and technical designs. The forest area management model was developed through stages, i.e., clustering of forest utilization and analysis of ecosystem, social activity, and area management alternatives. It is recommended that areas should be avoided are the core zone of the national park, nature preserve, areas that are indicated as important flora and fauna habitats, primary forests, and steeply sloped areas. It is about 1,369 Ha of the area that can be used for geothermal development.