By: Achmed Shahram

WWF focuses this activity in 3 provinces in Sumatra, namely Aceh, Jambi and Lampung where currently 1 geothermal forum has been formed in Aceh namely Aceh Geothermal Forum (AGF), 1 NGO coalition in Lampung namely Rumah Kolaborasi (RuKo) and 1 forum in Jambi namely Merangin Kerinci Energy Forum (Formerci). WWF together with IESR (Institute for Essential Services Reform) has compiled a Training Module for CSO capacity building related to geothermal issues which in the process of preparation has been communicated and received input from the Government and also geothermal developers through several discussion sessions conducted and has been tested and finalized.

As a series of this program, on June 9-10, 2015, held at Novotel Hotel Bogor, WWF Indonesia held a "Training of Trainers" (ToT) to CSOs who are members of the forum and coalition. This training was filled by several resource persons from various institutions from WWF, Institute for Essential Service Reform (IESR), ITB (academics), the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Indonesian Geothermal Association (API), so that participants get balanced information from various stakeholder perspectives.

To conclude the training program, on June 11, 2015, the participants were given the opportunity to visit Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE) Kamojang, Garut, West Java to see firsthand the indirect use of geothermal energy as a Geothermal Power Plant (PLTP) and the direct use of geothermal energy used for mushroom cultivation. Pertamina Geothermal Energy also showed the Kamojang Eagle Conservation Center managed by PGE in collaboration with RAIN, which aims to rehabilitate eagles that are victims of illegal trade so that they can live again in their habitat.

During this field visit, WWF Aceh also invited representatives from 1) Members of the Aceh House of Representatives represented by : Chairman of Commission II, Vice Chairman of Commission III and members of Commission III; 2) Aceh Besar District People's Representative Council represented by : Chairman of the Aceh Besar DPRK and Chairman of Commission D; 3) Aceh Provincial Mining and Energy Office represented by the Head of Oil and Gas and Energy; 4) Lecturers of Syiah Kuala University Aceh representing academics.

The purpose of inviting representatives from the executive, legislative and academics from Aceh is as a means of study for them to see how Geothermal is utilized and how the impacts are both negative and positive for the environment and surrounding communities. This is important to do because in Aceh Province, geothermal development on Mount Seulawah Agam, Aceh Besar Regency, still has several obstacles so that it has not been realized.

It is hoped that after this training the participants can become "champions" in supporting sustainable geothermal development and can provide geothermal information more precisely to CSO / CBO (Civil Society Organization / Community Based Organization) and the community in general around the geothermal areas of Aceh, Lampung and Jambi.