WIKA: Progress Of Development Of Jenelata Dam 9.8 Percent

JAKARTA - PT Wijaya Karya (Persero) Tbk (WIKA) said that until April 2025, the progress of the Jenelata Dam's physical construction in Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi reached 9.8 percent.

Dalam proses pengerjaan proyek tersebut menggunakan lebih dari 50 persen tenaga kerja masyarakat lokal, sehingga membuka akses lapangan pekerjaan sekaligus meningkatkan kapabilitas sumber daya masyarakat sekitar.

"The project also increases the involvement of MSMEs, especially in supporting chains of logistics supply, consumption, and transportation supporting construction," said WIKA President Director Agung Budi Waskito (BW) in a statement in Jakarta, quoted by Antara, Monday, May 19.

As is known, the Jenelata Dam is designed to have a capacity of 223.6 million cubic meters. One of its main functions is controlling annual flooding from the Jenelata River which has often overflowed in the Gowa and Makassar regions.

Through this dam, the flood discharge will be suppressed from 1.037 m3/second to 686 m3/second, with long-term control of up to 50 years.

In addition to being able to improve the economy of the surrounding community, Agung explained that the project also carries innovative work methods, namely through Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology to strengthen design efficiency and cross-disciplinary coordination of construction.

In line with the Company's vision to continue to improve the implementation of Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) principles, Jenelata Dam construction also uses solar panels and electric vehicles to reduce emissions and support sustainable business processes.

Not only that, the presence of this dam will also increase Indonesia's food security. Jenelata Dam will be one of the sources of irrigation for more than 25,000 hectares of agricultural land in the Bili-Bili, Bissua, and Kampili areas.

Supported by Padi's Padi 'Palawija' planting pattern, the plant index in the region is projected to increase by up to 300 percent.

Total raw water of 6.05 m3/second will also be channeled to meet water needs in Makassar City, Gowa, Maros, and Takalar Regencies, including water supplies for industries such as sugar factories in Takalar.

In terms of energy, Jenelata Dam has the potential for a 7 megawatt (MW) hydroelectric power plant. The area around the dam is also designed to be developed into a water and culinary tourist destination that can boost local economic growth and strengthen the community-based tourism sector.

WIKA is not only present as a contractor, but also as a pioneer in the implementation of ESG in the construction sector. Through the Jenelata Dam project, we believe that infrastructure built with environmental awareness, economic improvement and social benefits will become a long-term investment for the Indonesian nation," said Agung.

He added that the construction of the Jenelata Dam is a representation of the collaboration between the government, investors, BUMN, partners, and local communities in realizing sustainable infrastructure that is integrated with regional needs and answers the challenges of the times.

"This project is expected to be a turning point towards South Sulawesi which is tough and independent," he added.