Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Inspects 510 MW Batang Toru Hydroelectric Project in South Tapanuli
The Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) of the Republic of Indonesia, Yuliot Tanjung, conducted a working visit to the Batang Toru Hydroelectric Power Plant (PLTA) National Strategic Project in South Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra. The visit aimed to ensure the accelerated completion of this 510 MW renewable energy project to strengthen the reliability of the electricity system in the Sumatra region.
During the inspection, the Deputy Minister personally reviewed the project’s main facilities, including the dam area, transmission lines, Forest Area Use Approval (PPKH) land, and the powerhouse. Yuliot emphasised that the presence of the Batang Toru Hydroelectric Plant is crucial amidst the limitations of other primary energy sources. “This visit is part of the efforts to accelerate the provision and increase the reliability of energy nationally. The Batang Toru Hydroelectric Plant, once ready to go on-grid, will be a vital part of strengthening the electricity supply in the Sumatra system,” Yuliot stated.
The management of PT North Sumatera Hydro Energy (NSHE) reported that as of July 2026, the physical progress of the project has reached 89.49 per cent. This achievement marks a successful recovery phase after the project was impacted by extreme floods and landslides in November 2025. According to BMKG data, the disaster was an extreme weather phenomenon with a return period of more than 200 years, which damaged transmission infrastructure, access roads, and dam support facilities. However, within eight months, NSHE successfully restored construction progress to its pre-disaster position.
The President Director of PT NSHE, Li Xinlu, expressed appreciation for the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources’ support in facilitating cross-agency coordination, particularly regarding the resolution of the Right of Way (ROW) for transmission lines and legal administrative permits for the initial dam impounding stage. “We are committed to continuing our efforts to complete this project as quickly as possible. The Batang Toru Hydroelectric Plant will play an important role in supporting the development of renewable energy in Indonesia,” said Li Xinlu.
In response, the Deputy Minister emphasised the importance of collaboration between ministries, local governments, and PT PLN (Persero) along with its subsidiaries. This aligns with the President’s directive to conduct direct field inspections to guarantee national energy availability. In addition to focusing on construction, NSHE is also actively managing the impacts of the disaster in South Tapanuli Regency. The company has restored national road access, distributed logistics to 16 villages, provided clean water to 200 households, and repaired affected educational and religious facilities. The Batang Toru Hydroelectric Plant is projected to generate 2,124.03 GWh of electricity per year. With a capacity of 510 MW, this project serves as a primary pillar in achieving the national renewable energy mix target while maintaining electricity stability on Sumatra Island.