Jakarta, June 26 -- Indonesia's Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia stated that the development of new and renewable energy power plants can spur domestic industrial growth and create more employment opportunities.

Lahadalia cited the newly inaugurated Blawan Ijen Unit 1 geothermal power plant (PLTP) in Bondowoso, East Java, as an example.

"First, the development of the power plant stimulates the growth of local industries through the 40 percent domestic component requirement (TKDN policy). We have calculated that the PLTP's contribution, along with additional geothermal production, amounts to Rp426.5 billion (US$26.3 million) annually," he explained.

The minister also noted that the development and operation of t...