Jakarta (ANTARA) – Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Yuliot Tanjung, informed Batang Toru Hydroelectric Power Plant (PLTA) will continue operating amidst a lawsuit faced by its developer, PT North Sumatera Hydro Energy (NSHE), due to the Sumatera disaster.”Yes, it is still operating,” he confirmed on Monday.Tanjung mentioned eight towers at Batang Toru PLTA were affected by flash floods and landslides hit North Sumatera in late 2025. The government is coordinating to relocate the eight affected towers.He explained the government is currently processing permits for Batang Toru PLTA, including forest area release, to support the relocation of transmission towers.”It is because (the tower relocation) uses forest areas. We are also working to expedite the process with the Ministry of Forestry,” Tanjung added.Following floods and landslides disaster in Sumatera, that killed more than 1,000 people in late 2025, the Environment Ministry sealed off several companies in three affected provinces, namely Aceh, North Sumatera, and West Sumatera.The shutdowns were carried out due to the alleged contribution of the companies' activities to the floods and landslides.Furthermore, in December 2025, the ministry summoned eight corporations operating in North Sumatera.As of December 15, 2025, the Environment Ministry had summoned eight companies to provide explanations, namely PT Agincourt Resources, PT Toba Pulp Lestari, Sarulla Operations Ltd, PT Sumatera Pembangkit Mandiri, PT Teluk Nauli, PT North Sumatera Hydro Energy, PT Multi Sibolga Timber, and PT Perkebunan Nusantara IV Kebun Batang Toru.In early 2026, the ministry filed a civil lawsuit against PT NSHE, PT AR, PT TPL, PT PN, PT MST, and PT TBS, which operate in the Garoga and Batang Toru watersheds, all are located in North Sumatra.Total claim against the six companies is amounting to Rp4,843,232,560,026 (US$263 million).According to the lawsuit filed by the Ministry of Environment, PT NSHE is being sued for Rp200.6 billion (US$11 million). The lawsuit applies the principle of strict liability, meaning absolute responsibility for environmental recovery.