en.Wedoany.com Reported - Indonesian hydropower developer PT Mulya Energi Lestari (MEL), with support from Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. (J-POWER), has commenced commercial operation of the 3.4-megawatt (MW) Pungga hydropower plant in North Sumatra.

The company stated that the Pungga project is the first to enter commercial operation since J-POWER acquired a 27.23% stake in MEL in November 2024. This run-of-river hydropower plant began commercial operation on June 26, having been completed earlier that month. The plant diverts water from the Pungga River in Humbang Hasundutan Regency, south of Lake Toba.

Pungga is MEL's second operational hydropower plant, following the 12 MW Sion project, which commenced operation in August 2020. Construction of this plant began in March 2023. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Jakarta, MEL is engaged in the development, construction, and operation of hydropower plants in Indonesia.

Pungga is part of MEL's portfolio of run-of-river hydropower projects in North Sumatra. Currently, two projects are in operation, one is under construction, and the remaining three are in the development stage. The 14.6 MW Tomuan project is scheduled to commence operation in 2027, while the Kombih, Mulana, and Simolap projects are expected to enter operation between 2029 and 2030.

The operational projects supply electricity to Indonesia's state-owned utility company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara, and the remaining projects are expected to do the same upon completion. In a statement, J-POWER said it will continue to collaborate with MEL to contribute to Indonesia's renewable energy expansion, stable electricity supply, and reduction of environmental impact, as outlined in the "J-POWER BLUE MISSION 2050."