Kayan Hydropower Nusantara (KHN) at 2023 World Hydropower Congress (WHC)

Denpasar, Bali – PT Kayan Hydropower Nusantara (KHN) expresses its commitment in advocating for sustainable hydropower by becoming a primary partner for the 2023 World Hydropower Congress (WHC) taking place in Bali from October 31st to November 2nd. 

Organised by the International Hydropower Association (IHA), this biennially-held global congress brought together over 1,000 global key decision-makers, energy experts, and industry leaders to participate in knowledge sharing, capacity building and dialogue sessions. 

The event was officiated by the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo and attended by the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg; Indonesia’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Arifin Tasrif; and President Director PLN, Darmawan Prasodjo. 

KHN President Director, Antony Lesmana participated as a speaker for the plenary session “Hydropower’s Role in Decarbonising Hard-to-Abate Industries”, focusing on how hydropower is enabling ‘greener’ supply chains, such as in the production of low emission steel, cement and copper to develop new projects. 

The 1,375MW Mentarang Induk Hydroelectric Project (MIHEP) developed by KHN in North Kalimantan is a key example of how hydropower can be used to decarbonize hard-to-abate industries. This project will provide clean and reliable electricity to Indonesia's Green Industrial Park (KIPI) at Tanah Kuning, which is planned to be the largest Renewable Energy Based Industrial Development (REBID) in the country. 

MIHEP is a significant step forward for Indonesia's efforts to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a clean energy economy. It is also a testament to the growing role of hydropower in enabling greener supply chains around the world. 

Other speakers in this plenary were Senior Advisor, Finance and Strategic Projects, Green Hydrogen Organisation, Sanmit Ahuja; EVP Research and Development, Landsvirkjun, Óli Sveinsson; and Minister Special Adviser for Electricity, Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Sripeni Inten Cahyani, and moderated by Andhi Marjono, Head of Hydropower, PT Kalimantan Energi Hijau. 

On its final day, the 2023 WHC produced The Bali Statement on Powering Sustainable Growth that provides four recommendations related to hydropower for powering sustainable growth: (1) Planning for future energy needs; (2) Incentivising sustainable hydropower development through financial and market-based mechanisms; (3) Accelerating the development of renewables through transparent and efficient permitting and licensing, and; (4) Incorporating hydropower sustainability practices into government regulation and financial sector obligations. 

The Bali Statement as a deliverable from this congress follows on from the global hydropower community’s reaffirmed commitment to the sustainable development of projects through both the adoption of the San José Declaration on Sustainable Hydropower and uptake of the Hydropower Sustainability Standard.