INTERNATIONAL – The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has responded to online rumors that Mount Lawu will be auctioned off for a geothermal power project. According to the ministry, the controversy stems from a plan called the Jenawi geothermal project, which lies in the foothills of Lawu, but does not include the sacred or core areas of the mountain. ESDM officials assert that the auction is not for Mount Lawu itself, and that local cultural sensitivities have been taken into account.
Eniya Listiani Dewi, Director General of New, Renewable Energy, and Energy Conservation (EBTKE) at ESDM, clarified that the geothermal work referred to in media reports is limited to the Jenawi district in Karanganyar, which is geographically adjacent to Mount Lawu. She emphasized that Lawu’s upper zones are excluded from the geothermal working area (WKP), and that the mountain itself is not part of any geothermal concession. “No, that is outside. The area is outside. Mount Lawu is not part of a geothermal working area,” she stated.
Earlier, there had been media statements from Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia announcing that the government would hold auctions for 10 geothermal projects this year, involving both major geothermal working areas (WKP) and preliminary survey/exploration tasks (PSPE). Among these, the Jenawi project was named. The total capacity proposed is 350 MW, with planned investment around US$1.99 billion. The minister pledged that the bidding process would be transparent and open to all interested investors.
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However, mounting public concern and attention to cultural significance led to a revision. Eniya said the government had decided to remove areas considered sacred or culturally significant from the list of geothermal zones. She noted that the removal was made in light of local wisdom and public sentiment. “Kecamatan Jenawi under Lawu, all areas with the name Lawu that are sacred have been excluded from WKP,” she added.
She further assured that the geothermal development process in other areas would still respect local tradition and customs. She cited a forthcoming geothermal drilling operation in Gunung Hamiding and Bonjol as an example: drilling schedules will adhere to auspicious timings, including midnight prayers before procedures. This approach is intended to show sensitivity to local beliefs.
Despite Eniya’s clarifications, the controversy underlines the tension between geothermal energy expansion and heritage conservation. As Indonesia seeks to accelerate its renewable energy transition, projects in or near culturally significant landscapes must balance technical, economic, and sociocultural considerations.
