The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Speeds Up the Operation of the Batang Toru Hydroelectric Plant, This is the Goal
JAKARTA - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) is accelerating the operation of the Batang Toru Hydroelectric Power Plant (PLTA) in North Sumatra as a strategic step to maintain the reliability of electricity supply in Sumatra, which is currently facing energy supply challenges.
Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Yuliot said the acceleration of the Batang Toru HPP operation was part of the government's efforts to strengthen national energy resilience, especially in the Sumatra region which is considered to require additional electricity supply.
"This is an effort to accelerate our provision and reliability of energy nationally. In particular, the energy conditions in the Sumatra region are quite critical so that we need anticipation. With the limitations of the availability of other primary energy, we already have the Batang Toru Hydroelectric Plant that can be on-grid," said Yuliot in an official statement received in Jakarta, Friday.
The acceleration became increasingly urgent after the hydrological disaster in November 2025 demolished five transmission towers and damaged the electrical network infrastructure that connects the Batang Toru Hydroelectric Plant with the Sumatra transmission system.
Currently, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources continues to monitor the restoration process of the network, which is still in the tower design and foundation structure stage. The reconstruction of the transmission line is carried out at an accelerated pace so that the electricity generated by the Batang Toru Hydroelectric Plant can be immediately distributed to the Sumatra electricity system.
"The reconstruction of this transmission line is carried out at an accelerated pace so that the electricity from the Batang Toru Hydroelectric Plant can be optimally channeled into the Sumatra transmission network," said Yuliot.
Apart from the issue of transmission infrastructure, the project worth Rp. 21.6 trillion had previously also faced licensing and administrative constraints. Certainty of the continuation of the project was obtained after the Minister of Environment lifted the administrative sanction through Decree Number 1444 of 2026 on March 16, 2026, which was then followed by approval to continue construction.
Along with the completion of the administration, the government also carried out technical testing of the plant in parallel. According to Yuliot, the PLTA testing process requires a puddle of water so that all technical stages must run in parallel with the completion of the administration.
"This testing is called PLTA, there must be puddles. If there are no puddles, we can't do the testing. This means that between the completion of the administrative process and the implementation of the testing, we do it in parallel," he said.
The operation of the Batang Toru Hydroelectric Plant is also expected to accelerate the achievement of the national Renewable Energy Mix (EBT) target. Currently, Indonesia's EBT mix is in the range of 16-17 percent and is targeted to increase to 21 percent by the end of 2026.
"If we do not accelerate, the 21 percent energy mix target will not be achieved by the end of the year," said Yuliot.
The Batang Toru Hydroelectric Plant was built on an area of about 650 hectares in South Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra. The 510 megawatt plant was developed by PT North Sumatera Hydro Energy with Sinohydro Corporation Limited as the main contractor.
Construction of the project began on September 1, 2017 with an investment value of IDR 21.6 trillion originating from foreign capital investment. After full operation, the Batang Toru HPP is expected to become one of the backbone of electricity supply in Sumatra as well as strengthening Indonesia's transition to cleaner and sustainable energy.
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The Batang Toru hydroelectric power plant, North Sumatra. (ANTARA/HO-Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources)