ESDM confirms Batang Toru hydropower plant remains operational after Sumatra disaster

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Yuliot stated the Batang Toru hydropower plant continues to operate despite the government suing its developer, PT North Sumatera Hydro Energy (NSHE), over the Sumatra disaster.

‘I yes, it’s still running. Still running,’ Yuliot said when interviewed at the Senayan Parliamentary Complex in Jakarta on Monday.

Yuliot explained eight Batang Toru plant towers were affected by flash floods and landslides in North Sumatra in late 2025. The government is coordinating to relocate the impacted towers.

To relocate the towers, Yuliot said the government is currently processing permits for the Batang Toru project, including forest area clearance for the relocation plans.

‘That is because the relocation uses forest areas. We are also pushing for faster processing from the Forestry Ministry,’ Yuliot said.

Following floods and landslides in Sumatra that killed over 1,000 people in late 2025, the Environment Ministry sealed off several companies in three affected provinces: Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra. The seals were imposed due to suspected corporate activities contributing to the disasters.

Additionally, in December 2025, the Environment Ministry summoned eight corporations operating in North Sumatra.

According to Environment Ministry data as of 15 December 2025, the eight companies called for explanation were PT Agincourt Resources, PT Toba Pulp Lestari, Sarulla Operations Ltd, PT Sumatera Pembangkit Mandiri, PT Teluk Nauli, PT North Sumatera Hydro Energy, PT Multi Sibolga Timber, and PT Perkebunan Nusantara IV Kebun Batang Toru.

In early 2026, the Environment Ministry filed civil lawsuits against PT NSHE, PT AR, PT TPL, PT PN, PT MST and PT TBS for activities in the Garoga and Batang Toru river basins (DAS), all located in North Sumatra. Total claims against the six companies amount to Rp4.84 trillion.

According to lawsuit materials submitted by the Ministry of Environment, PT NSHE was sued for Rp200.6 billion under strict liability for environmental restoration.