KHN Supports the Launch of 2024 World Hydropower Outlook and the Inauguration of IHA’s Southeast Asia Office

The International Hydropower Association (IHA) has launched the 2024 World Hydropower Outlook in Southeast Asia today (18/9/2024) in Jakarta, Indonesia. The World Hydropower Outlook, a flagship annual publication by IHA, tracks and directs the progress of hydropower development globally against net zero pathways. PT Kayan Hydropower Nusantara (KHN)’s President Director, Antony Lesmana, participated in the launch as a panelist during a panel discussion session of “Supercharging Hydropower to Power Sustainable Growth”. 

In this session, Antony addressed the challenges and opportunities KHN faces as the largest hydropower producer in Indonesia, a market dominated by coal-based energy. 

Antony shared that although Indonesia has abundant resources to develop renewable energy and a strong commitment from the government to balancing its energy supply with green alternatives, licensing process and creating demand remain a significant challenge when competing with fossil fuels. 

Despite the challenges, KHN remains committed and optimistic in decarbonising Indonesia through working closely with its stakeholders to accelerate hydropower development. Large-scale hydropower is essential for driving Indonesia’s growth and advancing its commitment to a sustainable energy transition. The 1,375 MW Mentarang Induk Hydroelectric Project (MIHEP) will be Indonesia’s first large-scale hydropower project, playing a critical role in boosting the country’s renewable energy mix and supporting its net-zero emissions goals.

Additionally, MIHEP's development is guided by Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS) to ensure the project is developed sustainably and responsibly and provides net benefits to local communities and the surroundings.

Other panelists in the sessions are Parulian Noviandris, Executive Vice President of Generation Strategic Planning, PT PLN (Persero); Abdul Malik Sadat, Head of Certification and Standardization, INAHA; Karen Atkinson, Global Executive Director - Dams & Hydropower, SMEC; Nick Wright, Senior Vice President Business Development, Sarawak Energy; and Gerhard Enzenhofer, Director of Operations, Andritz Hydro Indonesia. The session was moderated by Eddie Rich, CEO of IHA. 

The launch of World Hydropower Outlook was followed by the inauguration of IHA’s Southeast Asia office in Jakarta, in partnership with the Indonesia Hydropower Association (INAHA) and the Indonesian state-owned electricity company, PT PLN (Persero).

The new IHA office serves as a hub for cross-region collaboration, enabling IHA members, partners, and stakeholders to share knowledge, technology, and best practices across borders.

The inauguration of IHA Southeast Asia Office was attended by Malcolm Turnbull, IHA President and former Australian Prime Minister; Darmawan Prasodjo, President Director of PT PLN (Persero); Adi Lumakso, Chairman of INAHA; and Harris Yahya, Head of Survey and Testing representing the Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy Resources Indonesia, Dadan Kusdiana.

The IHA team in Jakarta, supported by KHN, have immediately commenced work, holding discussions to boost the current pace of hydropower development to support the COP28 target to triple renewable energy by 2030, and build a strong pipeline of sustainable hydropower as the backbone of this target.