ASEANEWS HEADLINE-BUSINESS ECONOMY | El Niño dries up hydropower lifeline in South Sulawesi
Residents fish at Lake Sibili, where water levels have receded in Palu, Central Sulawesi, on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. (Antara/Muhammad Rifki Hasan)
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WATCH VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J-A_A9d9H4
A Historic El Niño Is Forming — Scientists Just Realized Why
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A *historic El Niño* may be developing as unusual changes in Pacific Ocean temperatures and atmospheric circulation capture scientists’ attention. This evolving *El Niño climate pattern* could influence weather across the United States, affecting rainfall, temperatures, storm tracks, drought conditions, and the risk of extreme weather in the months ahead. In this video, we examine what is happening across the tropical Pacific, why scientists are watching the developing pattern so closely, and how ocean-atmosphere interactions can reshape weather far beyond the Pacific. We’ll explore the potential U.S. impacts, including changing precipitation patterns, temperature shifts, severe storm risks, and possible effects on winter weather.
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PLN detailed that the aggregate generation capacity of the hydroelectric plants fell from approximately 850 megawatts (MW) to 250 MW.
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E nergy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia revealed that an El Niño-induced dry season had severely depleted water levels at the hydroelectric power plants that supply South Sulawesi province.
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The lower water levels have reduced generating capacity, causing power supply shortfalls.
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“El Niño has caused water levels to decline, directly reducing the generating capacity of hydropower plants,” Bahlil said after a hearing with House Commission XII on Wednesday, as quoted by Detik.
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He added that he would soon coordinate with state-owned electricity company PLN to address the issue.
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“South Sulawesi relies on several hydroelectric power plants.
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Because of El Niño, water availability and therefore generation capacity, have diminished.”
Parched: A resident pushes his bicycle carrying containers filled with potable water along a dried-up rice field in Lamongan, East Java, on Oct. 30, 2014. Droughts are a common challenge for farmers in Indonesia.(AFP/Juni Kriswanto)
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PLN president director Darmawan Prasodjo explained on Tuesday that the South Sulawesi electricity system has recently faced strain because of the declining generation capacity of several hydroelectric plants.
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Hydrological conditions influenced by the El Niño phenomenon have caused a drop in output from the Poso, Bakaru and Malea hydroelectric plants, as well as several mini-hydro power plants, as reported by Bisnis.
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Divya Karyza
The Jakarta Post- PREMIUM
Jakarta
Thu, September 17, 2026
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