The Indonesian province of Lampung on the island of Sumatra has been rationing power this week after water shortages at dams caused three hydropower generators to shut down. Plant operator PLN said the reduced water flows resulted from the destruction of the forests in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, which naturally capture rainfall and regulate water flow. Water levels at the dams, which provide more than 30 per cent of the province’s electricity supply, are expected to return to normal levels in December after the rainy season.
The state-owned PLN has said it would continue development of a new, larger hydropower dam - this one in conservation forest in the Pintu Pohan district in North Sumatra - despite an ongoing dispute with the local forestry office over land rights. PLN said it legally bought the land for the 87 megawatt Asahan III plant from local landowners in 2010 for US$1.59 million, but the forestry office claimed the local families had no right to sell the land.
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