PLN Efforts To Accelerate Electricity Recovery In Areas Affected By Natural Disasters

JAKARTA - General Manager of PLN West Sumatra's Main Distribution Unit (UID) Eric Rossi Priyo Nugroho said he was continuing to accelerate the recovery of electricity in areas affected by the cold lava flood disaster.

"PLN ensures that the process of restoring the electricity network runs quickly in line with security during floods so as not to endanger people's lives or assets," he said in Padang, quoted from Antara, Monday, May 13.

Eric said to accelerate the recovery of the electricity network, his party deployed 100 joint personnel from PLN, Lidiara Power, and PLN's partners to check electrical installations as well as repair them in affected locations.

"Not only that, PLN also continues to work with the government and the local community so that the normalization process runs smoothly and safely," said Eric.

PLN Manager of the Customer Service Implementation Unit (UP3) Bukittinggi Rudi Hamiri said all PLN officers were alert and continued to coordinate with stakeholders for the process of normalizing electricity.

"The normalization process is carried out in stages until electricity returns to normal 100 percent," he said.

As is known, heavy rain accompanied by strong winds that hit Bukittinggi City, Padang Panjang City, Agam Regency, and Tanah Datar Regency on Saturday (11/5) resulted in flash floods and cold lava at several points.

After this incident, 103 electrical substations were damaged, resulting in 8,462 customers or power outages. However, PLN has moved quickly to restore the electricity system for disaster-affected areas.

"For the electricity substation owned by PLN, around 32 of the 42 affected substations have recovered," he said.

He ensured that officers would continue to work hard to make efforts to restore the electricity network to return to normal 100 percent. However, specifically for flood-inundated areas, PLN has not been able to turn on electricity directly with consideration of the safety aspects of officers and residents.

"For reasons for the safety of people's lives, we also convey our apologies because electricity in several locations that were flooded cannot be turned on immediately, so normalization is carried out in stages," said Rudi.