"Indonesia’s US$1.67 billion China-backed dam is in limbo. Why?", South China Morning Post,16 Feb 2026

North Sumatera Hydro Energy (NSHE), the developer of the US$1.67 billion Batang Toru hydroelectric project, was among 28 companies whose permits were revoked on January 20 over allegations of forest damage. The cancellations followed an expedited audit of companies operating in forest areas across Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra provinces by the Forest Area Regulation Task Force.

[...] Chinese officials have firmly rejected allegations of illegality regarding the project [...]

“The company’s actions are not illegal,” said Huang He, China’s consul general in Medan, as cited by state news agency Antara on January 20. “Building a hydroelectric power plant requires first constructing the road and all of this was done in accordance with Indonesian law and has been reported to the local government.”

NSHE has requested a reaudit of the Batang Toru facility in a bid to resume development, according to Eniya of the energy ministry.

Should the permit be reinstated, the plant could begin operating in October 2026, she added.