The provincial prosecutor’s office-led meeting aims to accelerate land clearance for the Kombih III hydropower plant to address regional energy shortages.
Medan — Pakpak Bharat Regent Franc Bernhard Tumanggor attended a coordination meeting on land acquisition for the planned Kombih III Hydropower Plant (PLTA) in Sitellu Tali Urang Jehe district on Jan. 20, 2025. The meeting was initiated by the North Sumatra Prosecutor’s Office and held at the Cipta Kerta Hall of the provincial prosecutor’s office in Medan.
The meeting was chaired by North Sumatra Chief Prosecutor Harli Siregar and attended by representatives of indigenous communities from the Sulang Silima customary group, particularly members of the Berutu and Angkat clans. Also present were Assistant for Civil and Administrative Law Affairs Nur Handayani, Pakpak Bharat Regional Secretary Jalan Berutu, along with several heads of local government agencies.
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During the meeting, Harli highlighted that Indonesia is currently facing a fundamental national challenge in the form of energy shortages, affecting several regions including North Sumatra.
He stressed that the central government, through state-owned electricity company PT PLN, remains firmly committed to ensuring adequate energy supply for the public. Harli called on indigenous communities, regional leaders and local administrations in Pakpak Bharat to work closely with the central government and state-owned enterprises to support development initiatives.
“If this development succeeds, it will become a valuable legacy for future generations,” he said.
Regent Tumanggor, meanwhile, expressed hope that the preparatory stages for the Kombih III hydropower project — which is planned to have a capacity of up to 45 megawatts — could be completed promptly.
“With the preparations finalized, construction can begin, investors can come in and electricity needs can be met. That is our hope,” Tumanggor said, adding that several administrative requirements still needed to be completed.
He also emphasized that the coordination meeting was expected to ease public concerns, particularly among landowners affected by the project.
“At the very least, this forum can help remove doubts within the community regarding the land acquisition process,” he added.
The central government, through PT PLN, is currently finalizing plans for the construction of the Kombih III hydropower plant along the Lae Kombih River. Once completed, the facility is expected to strengthen electricity supply in Pakpak Bharat regency as well as neighboring areas in North Sumatra and Aceh.
