PLN IP Cleans Up Water Hyacinth to Curb Mosquito Population Surge in Saguling Reservoir
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, WEST BANDUNG – PLN Indonesia Power (IP) UBP Saguling has responded to concerns about the excessive growth of water hyacinth in the Saguling Reservoir. The presence of this aquatic plant is polluting the environment and is believed to be contributing to the increase in the mosquito population in Rancapanggung Village, Cililin District, West Bandung Regency (KBB), West Java.
Senior Manager of PLN Indonesia Power UBP Saguling, Doni Bakar, stated that the company, along with relevant stakeholders such as the Citarum Harum Task Force, Kodim 0609 Cimahi, Perum Jasa Tirta (PJT) II, local government, environmental communities, and local residents, regularly conduct water hyacinth clean-up operations in the Saguling Reservoir.
“In the past year, approximately 8.5 hectares of water hyacinth have been cleared through collaborative efforts involving various agencies and the community. The clean-up is carried out using heavy equipment and manual removal by field personnel,” said Doni when contacted on Wednesday (May 13, 2026).
He explained that the accumulation of water hyacinth in the Saguling Reservoir has the potential to disrupt electricity production from the hydroelectric power plant (PLTA), which is a renewable energy source that supports peak loads in the Java-Bali system and functions as a frequency regulator through the implementation of load frequency control (LFC).
The massive growth of water hyacinth and the increasing sedimentation caused by waste will affect the reservoir’s capacity and the durability of the power plant’s production equipment. “Regarding the impact of waste on electricity production, there is certainly an effect. It may not happen quickly, but gradually it will have an impact. Accumulated waste will trigger the growth of water hyacinth,” Doni explained.
Therefore, the company continues to carry out continuous management efforts and seek support from various parties to ensure that these efforts can be carried out optimally. In addition to clean-up efforts, the utilization of water hyacinth into economically valuable products is also being encouraged as part of sustainable management.
PLN Indonesia Power UBP Saguling also continues to coordinate with local government and relevant agencies in maintaining the quality of the reservoir and river ecosystems in the area. “Through continuously strengthened collaboration, PLN Indonesia Power hopes that the water hyacinth management efforts can provide benefits for the environment while supporting the sustainability of the Saguling Reservoir for the community and the electricity system,” said Doni.