The First Time Bengkayang Residents Of The RI-Malaysia Border Can Enjoy 24-hour Electricity

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

PONTIANAK - The operation of a 17 kWp Solar Power Plant (PLTS), by PT PLN, West Kalimantan Distribution Main Unit. Now thousands of residents of Siding Village, Siding District, Bengkayang Regency, which borders Malaysia for the first time, can enjoy 24-hour electricity.

"This is a gift on National Electricity Day which we present to the residents of Siding Village as well as realizing their dream of being able to enjoy PLN electricity services for 24 hours," said General Manager of PLN UID West Kalimantan, Wahyu Jatmiko in Pontianak, Saturday.

He explained that the PLTS Siding, which has been operated several years ago, experienced a decrease in capacity due to several obstacles.

According to Jatmiko, various efforts have been made by PLN to increase the reliability of PLTS so as to be able to serve the electricity needs of the people at the border.

"With the operation of this PLTS, we will stop the mobile generator machines that have been operating so far. Thus, PLN can save operational costs of more than IDR 700 million per year and increase electricity sales by approximately 123 thousand kWh per month," said Jatmiko.

He admitted, there are many positive impacts that the people of Siding Village can enjoy with the increase in the electricity service system from 12 hours to 24 hours.

"In addition to being able to encourage an increase in the community's economy, the existence of electricity can certainly improve the quality of life of people in border areas which are expected to strengthen the country's sovereignty," he said.

Meanwhile, Siding Village Head, Mingun Riadi, appreciated and expressed his gratitude for PLN's efforts to improve the quality of electricity services in its village. According to him, it has been a long time since the resident of Siding Village, which borders the Malaysian State, has kept electricity on for 24 hours.

"If the electricity is on for 12 hours, we still have to buy fuel to turn on the generator machine during the day, the cost is quite large and burdensome for the residents of Siding Village who on average work as farmers," said Mingun.

Furthermore, he hopes that PLN can continue to improve the quality of its services so that people in border areas such as Siding Village can improve the quality of their lives and not be left behind compared to villages in neighboring countries.

Marinus (43), a resident of Siding Village, admitted that he was very grateful to PLN for improving electricity services in his village.

According to him, with the operation of PLTS and PLN electricity which can be enjoyed for 24 hours, he can carry out various activities at home during the day and night safely and smoothly.

"In the past, we often felt inferior when a family from Malaysia came to the house because the electricity was only on at night. Now we feel proud, and grateful because the electricity at home is on both day and night. I plan to buy a refrigerator and open a simple shop selling fresh drinks so that it can increase family income," he explained.