IGA Asia Western-Pacific Regional Branch

About the AWPRB

The Asia-Western Pacific Regional Branch (AWPRB) is a regional branch of the International Geothermal Association (IGA). The AWPRB was founded in April 2006 to promote geothermal research, information exchange, capacity building, and other collaboration among geothermal communities in the Asia and Western Pacific region, based on the objectives of the IGA. The Branch currently defines a region comprising the area outlined by the national boundaries of Mongolia, China, India, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, the Philippines, and Japan (see the countries shown in blue in the map below). All IGA members who live and/or work in the countries within the defined area are eligible to join the Branch.

Forum

Activities of the Brach are governed by a body called “Forum,” whose members are elected by the members of the Branch every three years.

The Asia Pacific has been in the forefront of geothermal energy exploration, development, utilization, pioneering research and technology development. The collaboration of the different national associations under the umbrella of the AWPRB provides an opportunity to continue the sharing of experiences, learnings and information that help promote further geothermal energy development in the region.

Jeff CarantoChairperson

Forum Members 2020-2023

Jeff Caranto

Philippines

Chairman

Short CV

AVP, Head – Geosciences Division
Subsuface – Geothermal Resource Group
Energy Development Corporation

Jeff Caranto leads a team of highly competent and driven professionals who shares his passion of growing the company in local and international arena. As Head of the Geosciences team of the Geothermal Resource Group of EDC, Jeff leads the organization in pursuing potential high value geothermal exploration, development and generating projects, while undertaking specific activities that help manage and maintain the current operating assets of the company. He is currently the National Geothermal Association of the Philippines (NGAP) President.

Andrew Rae

New Zealand

Vice-Chairman & Chair Finance Committee

Short CV

Senior Geothermal Geologist
Geothermal Geology and Modelling Team
GNS Science.

Andrew Rae earned his PhD from the University of Tasmania in 2002, on the Southern Negros Geothermal Field, Philippines. He started at GNS in 2005 as a wellsite geologist, leading to management of the GNS geological wellsite services team. He presently works in multidisciplinary teams undertaking and managing geothermal resource assessment projects in New Zealand and across Southeast and Eastern Asia. These project teams integrate multiple geoscientific and engineering datasets to evaluate the geothermal resource potential with the aim to build confidence and the appropriate strategies for geothermal energy development.

Graeme Beardsmore

Australia

Secretary

Short CV

Technical Director, Hot Dry Rocks Pty Ltd

Graeme Beardsmore earned his PhD in Geophysics from Monash University in 1996, specializing in measuring and modelling temperature and heat flow in the crust, and began working in the geothermal energy sector shortly afterwards. He was the founding President of the Australian Geothermal Association, and continues to serve as a Director of that organisation. He is also Australia’s industry representative on the steering committee of the International Partnership for Geothermal Technology; co-author of the monograph ‘Geothermal Exploration’ (IGA Academy, 2016); and a Senior Fellow at the University of Melbourne.

Varun Chandrasekhar

India

Chair Information & Education
Chair Audit Committee

Surya Dharma

Indonesia

Immediate Past President

Short CV

My name is Surya Darma and I am a former President and Board of Adviser of Indonesia Geothermal Association (INAGA) and a Chairman of Indonesia Renewable Energy Society (METI-IRES) since 2015

Samantha Alcaraz

New Zealand

Treasurer

Short CV

Samantha Alcaraz has been based at GNS Science Wairakei since March 2009. Samantha is GNS Sciences geothermal expert in GIS, 3D modelling, database management and image processing. Samantha has an MSc in Geographical Information Management from Cranfield University, UK (2004) as well as a Master of Engineering Geology from the Institut Geologique Albert-de-Lapparent, France (2004) and has worked on projects in Ecuador, Brazil, England, Montserrat, Reunion, and France

Ninik Suryantini

Indonesia

Chair Membership Committee

Hiroshi Oyama

Japan

Short CV

Since I entered Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. In 2003, I have been working on the construction of geothermal power plants Worldwide. My experience includes the construction of Yamagawa Binary Power Plant, where I worked as the Project Manager, Ulubelu Unit 3&4 Geothermal Power Plant, where I worked as the Project Leader, Ulubelu Unit 1&2 Geothermal Power Plant, where I worked as the Engineering Leader, Northern Negros Geothermal Power Plant, where I worked as the Engineer and Rantau Dedap Geothermal Power Plant, where I’m working as the Project Leader.Other than the Company’s business, I’m working as an organizer of the Board Meeting at GRSJ, and also as a member of Operation Committee at JGA.