“The construction of dams is one of the efforts toward food self-sufficiency through irrigation services covering 1,271,415 hectares, energy self-sufficiency by adding 15,627.83 MW of electricity, and water security of 59.59 m³/capita/year,” Deputy Minister of Public Works Diana Kusumastuti said in Jakarta on Friday.
To achieve this, she informed, the government has built 234 dams. Of the total, 187 dams were completed by 2014 and 47 dams during the 2015–2024 period. Meanwhile, 14 dams are targeted to be completed by 2026 at the latest.
Additionally, 11 new dams have been built since 2021. With these additions, the number of dams built by the government so far has reached 259.
The government is aiming to achieve food self-sufficiency by 2028 and is also encouraging the development of new and renewable energy. One of the water resource infrastructures that can support this target is the dam.
The government is also targeting to take Indonesia’s Water Resilience Index to 200 m³/capita/year through equitable distribution.
Deputy Minister Kusumastuti also attended the opening of an Indonesian National Committee on Large Dams (INACOLD) event entitled “Innovation and Challenges in Choosing Dam Types for the Future” in the Special Region of Yogyakarta.
The Yogyakarta provincial government also considers dams as important. Representing the Governor of Yogyakarta, Hamengku Buwono X, Yogyakarta regional secretary Beny Suharsono said that dams are a symbol of calm strength, but are highly useful.
“Dams control and regulate the flow of life, bringing extraordinary benefits to the surrounding communities,” he added.
He said that dams not only supply water for agriculture and daily needs but also provide protection against floods and are a source of renewable energy.
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Translator: Kuntum Khaira Riswan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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