PT DAHANA (Persero), a state-owned defense industry company engaged in high-energy materials is involved in the construction of the Batang Toru Hydroelectric Power Plant (PLTA) tunnel. The power plant is the largest in Sumatra with a capacity of 4 × 127.5 MW and has a project value of up to USD 1,668 billion or approximately Rp 20 trillion. The Batang Toru hydropower plant is located on the Batang Toru River, Sipirok Village, South Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra Province.

 

According to Setio Budhianto, GM Quarry & Construction Division of PT DAHANA (Persero), DAHANA has been entrusted by the Sinohydro Company Ltd. as the explosive support commissioned with construction of a 12.5 km tunnel that stretches from Sipirok Village to Marancar Village, South Tapanuli.

 

“For this work DAHANA supports blasting activities with 4 blasting teams in several tunnel faces. The current project is one of the longest and largest tunnels with the tunnel diameter of 12 m and length of 12.5 km,” said Setio Budhianto in Jakarta (13/07/21).

 

DAHANA blasting team, led by Site Coordinator Teguh Widodo, has 21 workers divided into three teams, working 24 hours a day in shifts.  For the tunnel project, DAHANA team uses Dayagel Extra explosives, Long Period Non-Electric Detonators and Detonating Cords. As the workers operates non-stop, Teguh established effective man-power working arrangements.

 

The Batang Toru hydropower plant will produce 4 x 127.5 MW per year. Apart from that, benefitting from this hydropower plant, Indonesia can reduce carbon emissions by 16 megatons per year. The Batang Toru hydroelectric power plant can also reduce state spending by Rp 54 trillion annually. With large energy yields, the Batang Toru hydropower plant only requires an area of ​​122ha with a building area of ​​56 ha.

 

The construction of the hydroelectric power plant is targeted to be completed in 2026 and can operate to serve electricity needs in Sumatra and supports the Java-Bali electricity supply. The construction of the Batang Toru hydropower plant is claimed to be environmentally friendly, since the development also targets to participate in preventing global warming by reducing dependence on energy that produces carbon emissions, so that in the process from planning, development, to operation, the Batang Toru hydropower plant meets various strict environmental standards.

 

The Batang Toru hydroelectric power plant can also support the local economy and preserve the ecosystem, especially in the Batang Toru River Basin. This hydropower plant is targeted to be operating in 2026 and will supply electricity needs in Sumatra and serves as back up of electricity supply in Java-Bali.

 

Setio also hopes that the construction process of the Batang Toru hydropower plant can run smoothly to make sure that  the results can be benefitted by the community while the workers remain safe until the construction of the hydropower plant is completed.

 

“We also hope that DAHANA can complete the 12.5 km tunneling project with zero accidents,” said Setio Budhianto.

 

Meanwhile, in a separate place, DAHANA’s Director of Operations Bambang Agung welcomed the company’s optimistic performance in the construction sector. According to Bambang, PT DAHANA (Persero) has very open prospects even amidst the current situation of Covid-19 pandemic.

 

“Apart from the Batang Toru hydroelectric power plant, DAHANA is preparing to deal with construction projects such as the Probowangi Toll Road in East Java, the Sigli Toll Road in Aceh, the Cipanas Sumedang Dam, and several other construction projects,” said Bambang Agung.