Soedirman Dam

Panglima Besar Soedirman Dam, commonly known as Mrica Dam, is a large earth-fill embankment dam on the Serayu River in Banjarnegara Regency, Central Java, Indonesia. It was constructed between 1982 and 1988 and formally inaugurated in 1989 by President Soeharto. Named after Indonesian national hero Soedirman, the dam plays a vital role in regional energy and water management.^[1][2]

Panglima Besar Soedirman Dam
Location	Banjarnegara Regency, Central Java, Indonesia
Coordinates	7.3923°S 109.6061°E / -7.3923; 109.6061
Purpose	Hydroelectricity, irrigation, flood control, recreation
Status	Operational
Construction began	1982
Opening date	1989
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Embankment, earth-fill
Height	110 m
Length	6.5 km
Reservoir
Creates	Mrica Reservoir
Total capacity	157 million cubic meters
Catchment area	1,022 km²
Surface area	1,250 ha
Power Station
Operator	PLN Indonesia Power
Installed capacity	184.5 MW
Annual generation	564 GWh

Functions

The dam supports multiple purposes:

• Hydroelectric generation – supplies electricity to Java and Bali via the Panglima Besar Soedirman Power Plant.
• Irrigation – supports ~4,883 hectares of agricultural land.
• Flood control – reduces seasonal flood risk in the Serayu basin.
• Water supply and fisheries – provides clean water and supports inland aquaculture.
• Tourism and recreation – includes boating, camping, and a golf course. The first opening of the tourist site was held on 27th February, 2025, after being promoted by local tourist groups and social medias. The site started to attract people during the Eidl fitr holidays.^[3]

History

Feasibility studies began in 1974, with initial designs proposed by Soviet engineers. However, geopolitical challenges and design standard issues led the project to be reassigned to a Swedish-British consortium. Construction included a pioneering bottom outlet for sediment flushing and emergency discharge — a first for Indonesian dams.

Hydropower

Operated by PLN Indonesia Power, the hydroelectric station features:

• Installed capacity: 184.5 MW^[4]
• Annual generation: ~564 GWh

Reservoir

Known as Mrica Reservoir, it has:

• Surface area: 1,250 hectares^[5]
• Catchment area: 1,022 km²^{[citation needed]}
• Total capacity: 157 million cubic meters^{[citation needed]}

See also

• List of dams and reservoirs in Indonesia
• Banjarnegara Regency
• Soedirman