Batang Toru hydropower plant starts reservoir filling, targets year-end operation in North Sumatra

Batang Toru hydropower plant in North Sumatra has started filling its reservoir, a key step before the plant can begin generating electricity. The project is targeting operation by the end of the year, according to Petromindo. The article confirms the milestone but some technical details, including installed capacity, are behind a login. Once online, Batang Toru would add firm renewable capacity to Sumatra's grid, complementing solar and other intermittent sources. The project is part of Indonesia's push to expand hydropower and reduce reliance on coal. For readers tracking clean energy deployment in Southeast Asia, reservoir filling is a clear sign the project has moved past the construction-heavy phase and into commissioning.