JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Yuliot Tanjung encourages the acceleration of the operation of the Batang Toru Hydroelectric Power Plant (PLTA), North Sumatra with a capacity of 510 MW after the hydrological disaster that occurred at the end of 2025.
For information, at least five transmission towers collapsed as a result of the disaster, leaving a challenge for the Sumatra electricity system.
Yuliot said that the hydropower plant developed by PT North Sumatera Hydro Energy (NSHE) was considered crucial to strengthen the reliability of electricity supply in Sumatra.
"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 a statement to the media, Friday, July 31.
He said that the urgency of operating the plant had increased after the hydrological disaster in November 2025 had demolished five transmission towers and damaged the supporting infrastructure of the electricity network. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is now overseeing the recovery process, which is still in the stage of designing towers and foundation structures.
"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 transmission constraints, this Rp21.6 trillion project was also hampered by permits and administration. Certainty of continuation was obtained after the Minister of Environment lifted the administrative sanction through Decree Number 1444 of 2026 on March 16, 2026, followed by approval to continue construction. Currently, the administrative process runs parallel to the technical test of the plant which requires water stagnation.
"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," explained Yuliot.
The operation of the plant is also expected to support the national renewable energy mix target, which is currently in the range of 16 to 17 percent and is targeted to reach 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," he said.
The Batang Toru Hydroelectric Plant is located in an area of 650 hectares in South Tapanuli Regency. This 510 megawatt capacity project was developed by PT North Sumatera Hydro Energy with Sinohydro Corporation Limited as the contractor. Construction began on September 1, 2017 with an investment of Rp. 21.6 trillion sourced from foreign investment.
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