Indonesia launches five strategic dams to boost food and renewable energy self‑sufficiency

President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated five new dams on 10 July 2026 as part of a national push to strengthen food security and renewable‑energy capacity. Two of the projects, the Meninting Dam in West Nusa Tenggara and the Rukoh Dam in Pidie, Aceh, were constructed by state‑owned PT Nindya Karya.

The Meninting Dam can store 9.91 million m³ of water, irrigates 1,559 ha, supplies raw water, reduces flood risk over 59 ha and is expected to generate up to 0.80 MW of hydro power and 9.23 MW of floating solar power. The Rukoh Dam provides a large water reserve to reinforce agricultural irrigation in Aceh. Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo described the dams as multi‑functional infrastructure that supports long‑term self‑sufficiency in food and new renewable energy, while also mitigating floods. The government expects the new dams to increase rice production by up to one million tons.