Indonesian state-controlled refiner Pertamina is targeting to launch a green hydrogen pilot project in the Ulubelu geothermal working area in Lampung, Indonesia by 2023.
The firm aims to produce up to 100 kg/d of green hydrogen at the pilot project, as part of its geothermal diversification plan. The project aims to supply hydrogen to Pertamina's polypropylene (PP) plant in Plaju and cater to local petrochemical demand, said Pertamina's vice-president of business planning and portfolio Fuadi Nasution on 3 August. The PP plant has a capacity of 45,000 t/yr, Argus data show.
The project is currently in the process of finalising environmental permits. Pertamina's geothermal resources have the potential to produce 8,600 kg/d of green hydrogen, the firm previously said.
Pertamina has set out plans to accelerate investment in the new and renewable energy sectors in its latest energy transition agenda. It intends to lift its geothermal capacity to 1,128MW in 2026 from 672MW in 2020, along with its solar, wind and hydropower capacities. The firm plans to generate green hydrogen from its new renewable energy capacities and grey hydrogen from its existing refineries.
Nasution sees future global hydrogen demand coming mainly from the mobility sector for vehicles and hydrogen fuel power packs. This is especially from countries in east Asia like Japan and South Korea that already have targets for hydrogen in their future energy mix. "These are our potential customers," he said.
Pertamina is looking to renewable energy sources such as hydrogen to meet its target of adding 10GW of clean energy power generation capacity by 2026, in line with its green transition plan for 2050.
