Renewable energy is vital for sustainable development and hydrokinetic energy is a promising solution for harnessing river flows in Indonesia. This study focused on designing and evaluating a hydrokinetic power plant specifically tailored to low-velocity river environments. The research involved the development of a system comprising a cross-flow turbine, a transmission mechanism, and a permanent magnet generator. Experimental testing was conducted on the Tapung River in the Tapung Hulu district of the Kampar regency. The methodology included measuring key parameters such as water flow speed, discharge, and cross-sectional area of the river, followed by calculations of power output and system efficiency. The results indicated that the river flow speed was 1.03 m/s, with a water power of 327 W. The turbine achieved a power output of 67.38 W and an efficiency of 20.6 %. Voltage generated ranged from 5.0 to 7.6 V, whereas the current varied between 0.012 and 0.026 A. Despite the relatively low power output of 0.12 to 0.24 W, this study highlights the potential for optimizing turbine design and transmission components to enhance system efficiency.

Keywords: Renewable energy, Kinetic turbine, River flow, Hydrokinetic, Power