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In the global push for clean energy, geothermal power emerges as a potential solution to meet the challenge.

But is switching to this energy source truly a wise choice, or do its benefits still outweigh its risks? Let’s take a closer look.

What Is Geothermal Energy?

Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source derived from the Earth’s natural heat. This heat comes from a combination of residual heat from the planet’s formation, tectonic activity, and the radioactive decay of minerals in the mantle and crust. It can be found in the form of steam, hot water, or heated rock beneath the Earth’s surface.

Indonesia is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, which explains its significant geothermal potential. This geological condition makes Indonesia one of the countries with the largest geothermal reserves in the world.

The advantages of geothermal power include a stable year-round supply that’s unaffected by weather conditions, as well as greenhouse gas emissions that are far lower than fossil fuel-based power plants.

Read More: The Process of Global Warming, From the Beginning to Its Impact

How Big Is Indonesia’s Geothermal Potential?

Indonesia’s abundant geothermal resources make the country not only a key player on the global stage but also an important contributor to its national energy strategy.

National Geothermal Energy Reserves

Indonesia holds one of the largest geothermal energy reserves in the world. According to Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the country’s potential is estimated at 23.6 GW spread across 362 locations.

By 2024, Indonesia had already installed around 2.6 GW of geothermal power capacity, making it the world’s second-largest producer of geothermal electricity.

Strategic Role in Energy Supply

Geothermal power plays a vital role in reducing Indonesia’s reliance on fossil fuels. As a reliable renewable energy source, geothermal can supply electricity consistently without being affected by weather, unlike solar or wind power.

Data from ESDM in 2024 shows that geothermal now accounts for about 5.3% of the national energy mix, strengthening energy security and supporting the transition to a low-carbon future.

Read More: 7 Organic Wastes That Produce Energy

What Are the Challenges in Implementing Geothermal Energy?

Despite its vast potential, geothermal development in Indonesia still faces challenges ranging from social issues and financing to technological adaptation.

Technical and Environmental Challenges

Geothermal projects require significant investment, particularly in the high-risk exploration stage. Even though the government and international institutions offer support such as blended finance and loans, uncertainty in tariffs and lengthy permitting processes remain major obstacles.

Indonesia also lacks domestically produced geothermal turbine technology, creating reliance on imports, which drives up project costs.

Many geothermal sites are located in sensitive conservation areas, where access and construction can damage ecosystems. Local opposition can also hinder project progress.

Geothermal Energy Distribution Challenges

Much of Indonesia’s geothermal potential lies in remote areas with rough terrain and limited infrastructure, making it costly to transport equipment and build supporting facilities.

Uneven electricity grid distribution also restricts energy delivery. Large investments are needed to build transmission lines linking geothermal sources to major consumption centers.

Addressing these challenges requires an integrated strategy to improve access, strengthen grid infrastructure, and secure project financing.

Read More: Why LNG Plays a Key Role in the Global Energy Transition?

LNG as a More Ready Option for Energy Transition

There are several reasons LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) is considered a practical choice for the ongoing transition to clean energy.

Why LNG Is Currently More Ready Than Geothermal?

LNG is better positioned as a transitional energy source due to its mature global infrastructure. Facilities for liquefaction, LNG tanker fleets, and regasification terminals are already in place, ensuring a flexible supply that can quickly respond to global demand.

This established infrastructure enables large-scale international trade by sea, with LNG then distributed to consumers via pipelines or trucks.

In contrast, geothermal development requires massive investment and long lead times, as it depends on geological conditions often located in remote areas, necessitating power plant construction from scratch with complex technical and logistical challenges.

LNG also offers greater distribution flexibility. Once liquefied, it can be shipped to any terminal and delivered directly to consumers, whereas geothermal electricity can only be transmitted within proximity to its production site.

Read More: Why Switching to Green Energy Matters and How It Impacts the Planet?

LNG’s Role in Bridging the Path to Clean Energy

LNG is seen as a bridge toward cleaner energy because it produces around 50% less CO₂ than coal and releases almost no particulate pollutants.

This makes LNG the most viable fossil fuel alternative at present. By using LNG, coal consumption can be gradually reduced, allowing more time for the full development of renewable energy sources like geothermal.

References:

• EESC. Accessed 2025. Geothermal Energy Can Make The Green Transition Happen
• Kementerian ESDM. Accessed 2025. Kementerian ESDM Kejar Tambahan 90MW dari Panas Bumi
• Kementerian ESDM. Accessed 2025. Dirjen RIda Uraikan Tantangan Pengembangan Panas Bumi Ke Depan

Nuclear energy has huge potential as a clean and sustainable alternative energy source. However, many challenges and fears still stand in the way of its widespread adoption.

So, what are the risks of using this energy source? Let’s dive in and find out.

What Is Nuclear Energy?

Nuclear energy is the energy stored in an atom’s nucleus. The nucleus (protons and neutrons) contains an enormous amount of energy that can be released through two main processes:

• Fission: splitting heavy atomic nuclei
• Fusion: combining light atomic nuclei

Currently, all nuclear power plants (NPPs) in the world use fission reactions, while fusion technology is still in the research and development phase.

Nuclear energy accounts for about 9–10% of global electricity. Some countries rely heavily on it as one of their primary energy sources.

The most notable example is France, where around 62% of electricity comes from nuclear power. Other countries like the United States, China, Russia, and South Korea also have major nuclear programs, with hundreds of active reactors meeting national energy needs.

Read More: The Crucial Role of Alternative Electricity Sources in Shaping Our Future

How Does Nuclear Energy Generate Electricity?

Turning nuclear energy into electricity involves a complex process, but the basic principle is a controlled chain reaction inside a nuclear reactor.

The Basics of Nuclear Fission

Nuclear fission is the splitting of a heavy atomic nucleus, such as uranium-235, into smaller nuclei after being hit by a neutron.

This process releases energy in the form of heat and radiation, and emits 2–3 additional neutrons. These neutrons trigger a rapid chain reaction.

The heat from fission is used to heat water or a cooling medium, producing high-pressure steam.

Components of a Nuclear Power Plant

A nuclear power plant consists of three main components:

• Reactor: where the controlled fission chain reaction occurs
• Turbine: powered by high-pressure steam generated from reactor heat
• Generator: converts the turbine’s kinetic energy into electricity

This process is similar to fossil fuel power plants, but the heat source comes from nuclear reactions instead of burning coal or gas.

Read More: What Is Decarbonization and Why Must We Shift to Clean Energy?

What Are the Advantages of Nuclear Energy?

Nuclear energy offers several benefits that make it a strategic energy source in the era of energy transition.

NPPs produce almost no carbon emissions during operation, making them one of the cleanest power generation technologies.

Indonesia itself has not yet operated a nuclear power plant (PLTN) to generate electricity. However, the government has taken significant preparatory steps, officially including nuclear power plants in the national energy plan until 2060. The first nuclear power plant project with a capacity of 500 MW is currently being prepared, with a focus on developing regulations, determining potential sites, and exploring partnerships with foreign investors. This demonstrates that, although its utilization is still in its early stages, nuclear power is now an integral part of Indonesia’s energy strategy to achieve its future clean energy targets.

They also provide large-scale, continuous electricity production without depending on weather conditions like solar or wind power. This makes nuclear energy a reliable source to meet growing demands.

Read More: Why Alternative Energy Sources Are Crucial for Our Future!

Risks and Challenges of Nuclear Energy

Despite its advantages, such as high efficiency and low carbon emissions, nuclear energy comes with significant risks and challenges.

One major concern is the potential for reactor accidents that could release radiation into the environment, as seen in the Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters.

These incidents pose severe threats to human health and cause long-term environmental contamination that is extremely difficult to remediate.

Another major issue is radioactive waste management. Spent nuclear fuel remains highly dangerous and requires secure storage in special facilities for thousands of years.

Although the volume of waste is relatively small compared to fossil fuel waste, its management demands advanced technology, strict regulations, and long-term monitoring.

This complexity adds technical and financial burdens for countries looking to adopt nuclear power.

Other challenges include high construction costs and long development timelines. Building an NPP typically requires billions of dollars and an average of 5–10 years to complete.

Read More: Top Benefits of Natural Gas, More Than Just Low Emissions

LNG: A More Practical Energy Solution

Amid the challenges of developing low-emission energy, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) has emerged as a practical solution to meet national energy needs in the medium term.

In Indonesia, LNG facilities are already operating to supply energy across regions, enabling the use of natural gas quickly without waiting for new technologies to be built.

Compared to nuclear energy, LNG offers several key advantages:

• Shorter construction time, around 2–3 years
• Lower initial investment
• Greater flexibility, usable in power plants, industry, and transportation

With these benefits, LNG serves as a realistic transition fuel toward a cleaner energy future, while we wait for broader adoption of renewable energy and advanced nuclear technologies.

References:

• IAEA. Accessed 2025. What is Nuclear Energy? The Science of Nuclear Power
• NCBI. Accessed 2025. Is Nuclear Energy the Solution?
• ESDM. Accessed 2025. Nuklir Jadi Energi Alternatif Tekan Emisi Karbon

Fossil fuels remain the leading energy source today. While they play an important role, they also bring a serious problem: pollution.

The impact isn’t just on health; it extends to the economy as well. Let’s explore how fossil fuel use causes pollution and what the best solutions are.

What is Pollution?

Pollution is the release of harmful substances that disrupts nature’s balance. Burning fossil fuels like coal and petroleum is one of the main causes of pollution.

Processing coal and petroleum releases carbon dioxide, a gas that traps heat in the atmosphere, causing the greenhouse effect.

The rising concentration of carbon dioxide accelerates global warming and extreme climate change.

In addition, fossil fuel use often causes other environmental issues, such as oil spills that damage marine ecosystems.

Read More: What is Decarbonization and Why is It Important?

5 Types of Pollution from Fossil Fuels

Burning coal and petroleum can trigger several kinds of pollution. Here are the main types:

1. Air Pollution

Fossil fuel combustion releases various pollutants into the air, including:

• Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
• Carbon monoxide (CO)
• Sulfur dioxide (SO₂)
• Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
• Fine particulate matter (PM2.5)
• Volatile organic compounds (VOC)

Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas driving global warming, while SO₂ and NOx contribute to acid rain and smog formation.

PM2.5 particles are especially dangerous because they can penetrate deep into the lungs and even the bloodstream, increasing the risk of heart and lung disease.

Read More: The Harmful Impact of Air Pollution on Health and the Environment

2. Water Pollution

The fossil fuel industry can contaminate water through oil spills, production waste, and acid rain caused by SO₂ and NOx. Acid rain increases the acidity of lakes and rivers, killing aquatic life and damaging ecosystems.

3. Soil Pollution

Soil pollution doesn’t only come from acid rain but also from oil leaks, drilling waste, and coal combustion residue like fly ash. This contamination reduces soil fertility and disrupts plant growth.

4. Noise Pollution

Drilling, mining operations, and fuel transportation all generate noise pollution. For wildlife, noise can interfere with communication, migration, and reproduction. For humans, excessive noise can cause stress, sleep disturbances, and other health issues.

5. Thermal Pollution

Fossil-fuel power plants use water to cool machinery. This water is then discharged back into natural water bodies at higher temperatures.

Thermal pollution reduces dissolved oxygen levels and disrupts aquatic ecosystems, potentially leading to massive fish deaths.

Read More: The Advantages of Alternative Energy Over Fossil Fuels

What Are the Impacts of Fossil Fuel Pollution?

The use of fossil energy not only causes environmental degradation but also poses serious threats to human health and global economic stability.

According to 2020 Greenpeace data, air pollution from fossil fuels is estimated to cause 4.5 million premature deaths annually. Approximately 3 million deaths are caused by fine particulate matter, 1 million by ozone, and more than 500,000 by nitrogen dioxide. Children are the most vulnerable group, with approximately 40,000 children dying before the age of five and 2 million premature births occurring annually.

The same report noted that pollution from fossil fuels causes economic losses of up to US$2.9 trillion annually, including healthcare costs, lost productivity due to 1.8 billion lost workdays, and losses from climate disasters. Geographically, the countries with the greatest burden are China (US$900 billion annually), the United States (US$600 billion), and India (US$150 billion).

These facts confirm that pollution from fossil fuels is not only an environmental threat, but also a public health crisis and an obstacle to sustainable economic development.

Read More: The Most Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Petroleum!

LNG: A Cleaner Fuel Alternative  

Burning coal and oil has significant environmental consequences. That’s why we need cleaner energy alternatives, such as LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas).

LNG is natural gas cooled into liquid form, making it easier to store and transport over long distances.

Compared to coal and oil, LNG produces lower carbon dioxide emissions and almost no sulfur dioxide or particulates, which are major causes of pollution.

For these reasons, LNG is considered a transition fuel toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy system.

References:

• Client Earth. Accessed 2025. Fossil Fuels and Climate Change: The Facts
• EESI. Accessed 2025. Climate, Environmental, and Health Impacts of Fossil Fuels
• EPA. Accessed 2025. Sources and Solutions: Fossil Fuels
• Greenpeace. Accessed in 2025. Toxic Air: The Price of Fossil Fuels