Province

West Sumatra

West Sumatra, home of renowned cuisines 

Situated on the west coast of Sumatra island, West Sumatra is a province with a population of 5.75 million people in 2023. According to the 2021 Census, out of this population, up to 97.6 percent adhere to Islam, followed by Christianity at 1.5 percent, and Catholicism and Buddhism, both at 0.84 percent.

Notably, West Sumatra is home to the Minangkabau people, who are recognized for their matrilineal social system and distinctive architecture, notably the "Rumah Gadang". With traditional dances, music, and festivals celebrating the region’s culture, West Sumatran’s culture also encompasses its cuisine, such as Rendang, a slow-cooked meat dish with a blend of spices, which is recognized as the world’s most delicious dish according to a 2021 CNN poll. Other culinary delights include Nasi Padang, Sate Padang, and various renditions of coconut-based dishes.

Regarding the landscape, the province boasts a setting that ranges from valleys and lakes to mountains. Notably, the province is home to Lake Maninjau and Harau Valley. Moreover, the region’s Mount Kerinci is regarded as the highest volcano in Indonesia.

West Sumatra also has a rich history, seen through its ancient temples, colonial-era architecture, and royal palaces, such as Pagaruyung Palace, a reconstructed palace in Batusangkar, that reflects the grandeur of the Minangkabau kingdom.

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Economic and infrastructure development

West Sumatra’s economy has recorded positive trends in recent years, with the province’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) reaching Rp 174 trillion in 2021, Rp 182 trillion in 2022, and Rp 191 trillion in 2023.

According to Bank Indonesia’s West Sumatra branch, the province could experience an economic development of 4.63 to 5.43 percent in 2024, an increase from 2023’s figures of 4.5 to 5.3 percent. This positive economic climate is attributed to the investment flow of Rp 7.2 trillion in 2023, surpassing the target set by the provincial authorities by 128 percent. Of that number, domestic investments contributed Rp 3.411 trillion, while foreign investments US$67 million (Rp 1 trillion).

Communities in West Sumatra are known for upholding Islamic culture, offering the province an opportunity to develop its Halal tourism industry. The province itself has emerged as a key destination for both domestic and international travelers. The growth in West Sumatra’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) had positive trends in the last three years with.

The province relied predominantly on the agriculture, forestry, and fishery sector with a GRDP of 47 percent, followed by trade at 9.8 percent, and transportation and warehousing at 8.8 percent, as of 2023. Regarding agriculture, the province’s main agricultural products include rice, vegetables (carrots, onions, and cabbage), fruits (rambutan, durian, mangosteen, and snake fruit), palm oil, and rubber. Additionally, the province is a source of handcrafted goods, such as woodworking, batik, and traditional weaving, as well as art exhibitions and the digital creative sector. 

To boost West Sumatra’s economic expansion, the national government has constructed the first highway in the province, the Padang-Pekabaru highway, as part of the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road, expected to be completed in mid-2024. West Sumatra is also working on improving transportation facilities through the reactivation of the Naras-Sungai Limau railway, which started in 2024. Additionally, the Pulau Air-Padang railway route, along with the Pauhlima (Padang)-Naras (Pariaman) route, has gained attention from the provincial authorities for more financially effective mass transportation in West Sumatra.

The province’s railroad revitalization project is set to start with the development of the International Minangkabau Airport-Duku railway route and continue with the revitalization of the Pariaman-Bukittinggi route. Following this, the government plans to extend the development of this railroad to Pekanbaru, alongside the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road. In the long term, the central government's infrastructure development projects aim to integrate West Sumatra's economy with the more affluent and larger economy of Riau.

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Latest News

June 24, 2025

The progress of the construction of the geothermal power plant (GtPP) in Bonjol District, Pasaman Regency, West Sumatra Province has entered preparation stage for the Preliminary Survey and Exploration Assignment (PSPE) drilling by Medco Group subsidiary PT Medco Geothermal Sumatera (MGSu) on June 12, 2025.

Pasaman Regency Government officials immediately went to the project's site to ensure that all stages of the largest investment project in the region were running as they should. Pasaman Regent Welly Suhery also requested for all issues that continues to affect the progress of the Bonjol geothermal power plant construction to be re-evaluated.

"Try to change the handling pattern, classify how it should be [resolved], then resolve it case-by-case. Don't generalize the problem," he stated.

In principle, said Welly, the local community must not be harmed or persecuted by the company as it continues to operate in the region, directing the enterprise to continue to follow applicable legal principles. He also noted that various regional governments, including the one he leads, are striving to raise incoming investments to their respective regions since the Indonesian government's austerity affects the General (DAU) and Special Allocation Funds (DAK) provided for them.

"We need investment to come into Pasaman to support sustainable development, but regional stability must be maintained. For that, we ask for understanding and support from all stakeholders. If there is a problem, let's find a solution together [so both] investors and the local community reap the benefits," Welly said.

On behalf of the local government, Welly also expressed his gratitude to MGSu for investing in Pasaman Regency.

"I have spoken with the PT Medco Director and requested for teh company to prioritize Pasaman workers, especially those in Bonjol, during the project's implementation," said the regent.

MGSu Site Manager Sigit Widiatmoko revealed during his first presentation to Welly that MGSu previously planned to start operating in Bonjol in 2019, but it was delayed to November 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"In 2023, we started with field data collection, then it continued in March 2024 with the land acquisition socialization stage, and the construction of the road to the drilling location began in December 2024," explained Sigit.

He added that the project has entered the 'parklane' stage, or the starting point for the first drilling, in June 2025. The results on how much steam pressure and geothermal potential the Bonjol District geothermal reserve produces will be obtained at this stage. Sigit projected for the temperature of the Bonjol geothermal reserve to be in the range of 150°C maximum, or a 'medium low' level, with an electrical energy capacity of up to 35 kilovolt (kv).

"This hot steam energy will drive the turbine to generate electricity. However, the completion of the process will still take a long time of up to 7 years, or [finished] by around 2032," he explained.

Sigit elaborated that the drilling will be carried out in two planned locations, namely Bonjol 1 (Kampung Tampang) and Bonjol 3 (Sungai Limau).

"The construction of the well footprint was carried out last March, including the construction of a mud waste processing pond from drilling," Sigit further said.

He revealed that the depth of drilling in the initial stage reached 1 km into the earth. On the other hand, Pasaman Regency Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services (DPMPTSP) Head Yusnimar divulged that the total value of MGSu's geothermal investment to the regency reached Rp4 trillion.

"The investment value is very large for the Pasaman Regency area. Up to the progress of PSPE, It is estimated to have costed Rp150 billion until the [current progress of the] PSPE stage," said Yusnimar.

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