Hydropower and the Responsibility of Sustainability
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The energy transition towards cleaner sources has now become an unavoidable global agenda. The question is no longer merely how to generate electricity with low carbon emissions, but how to ensure that such energy does not create new problems for the environment and society.
It is in this context that hydropower plants (PLTA) emerge as a solution, while also harbouring dilemmas that must be managed wisely.
Amid global efforts to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, hydropower is often viewed as one of the most promising renewable energy sources. This technology has been in use for over a century and remains the largest contributor to renewable energy in global electricity systems.
One of the main advantages of PLTA is its ability to generate electricity with relatively low carbon emissions. Globally, the emission intensity of hydropower plants is estimated at around 24 grams of CO₂e per kWh, far lower than gas-fired power plants, which can exceed 300 grams of CO₂e per kWh.
Additionally, PLTA provides stable and flexible electricity. In modern energy systems that increasingly rely on intermittent solar and wind energy dependent on weather conditions, PLTA plays a crucial role as a balancer to maintain grid stability.
In Indonesia, the hydropower potential is actually very substantial, estimated at over 75 gigawatts (GW). However, its utilisation remains low, at around 10 per cent. By 2025, the national installed PLTA capacity will be in the range of 6–7 GW, making it one of the backbones of renewable energy alongside geothermal.
The government aims to increase capacity through the construction of new dams and PLTA, particularly in Kalimantan and Papua. Nevertheless, several projects face challenges, from environmental issues and construction delays to opposition from local communities. This indicates that hydropower development is not just about technology, but also about governance that is sensitive to social and environmental conditions.
Ecological Dilemmas
Behind its contribution to reducing carbon emissions, the construction of PLTA also brings a number of environmental and social consequences that cannot be ignored.
Large-scale dams can significantly alter river ecosystems. Fish migration routes may be disrupted, sediment flows essential for downstream ecosystems are interrupted, and the natural dynamics of rivers are changed.
In some cases, reservoir formation also submerges forests or productive lands that were previously part of the local ecological and economic systems.
From a social perspective, PLTA development often requires the relocation of communities living in areas to be inundated. For some communities, this relocation means not only losing homes but also livelihoods and cultural ties to the land they have inhabited for generations.
Experiences in various countries show that poorly managed PLTA projects can trigger prolonged social conflicts.