Controversial Blue Energy: President Summons Team

TEMPO Interactive, Yogyakarta: Scientists from Gadjah Mada University (UGM) rejected the idea of Blue Energy by Joko Suprapto and will meet President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in the state palace today. They will give a scientific explanation to the President about Blue Energy.

“It is scheduled at 1pm today,” said head of the Energy Study Center, Sudiartono, at his office yesterday. He will attend the meeting together with UGM rector, Prof. Sudjarwadi; head of Electro- Engineering Department of UGM, Tumiran; and UGM's researcher on energy technology and the nuclear reactor, Dr. Ing. Sihana.

Sudiartono met Joko Suprapto in December 2005 when Joko asked for financial support regarding blue energy development amounting to Rp3 billion to UGM's President Prof. Sofian Effendi. The project was thought to be a deception.

“I will explain this to the President,” he said.

Tumiran argued that water does not have a chemical element to be transformed into oil. Water's chemical composition is hydrogen and oxygen (H2O), while oil contains carbon (C ) and hydrogen. “It is nearly impossible to have water as an energy source,” he said.

Blue energy became controversial as it involves high rank officials. Presidential special staff, Heru Lelono, has been appointed commissioner of the company that will develop the blue energy. Heru said President Yudhoyono requests the project to be continued. “This is a logical finding, supported by oil expertise,” he told Tempo last Sunday.

State Minister of Research and Technology, Kusmayanto Kadiman, said that he does not know much about this project. He suggested to Tempo to contact Joko Suprapto and his partners that have an agreement with investors.

Director for Technology Development for Energy Resources at the Agency for the Assessment & Application of Technology (BPPT), Unggul Prayitno, said the Blue Energy concept claiming water as an alternative for oil substitution in a large amount is dubious.

BERNARDA RURIT | TITIS SETIANINGTYAS | WURAGIL