PLTS Saugi Island, Evidence Of Green Energy Encourages Regional Independence

JAKARTA - Saugi Island, which is located in Pangkajene Islands (Pangkep) Regency, South Sulawesi, is no longer as dark as it used to be.

The small island, which only covers 3.8 hectares, is now bright thanks to the sunlight that illuminates fishermen's houses until the early hours of the morning.

However, light is not just lighting. He also brought big changes in the economy of the island community.

The green energy that used to feel far away, is now a new source of life for about 140 families who live there.

Before 2018, residents of Saugi Island only relied on oil lights or diesel generators with limited operating times, four hours every night.

The cost of fuel which reaches Rp120,000 per month becomes a burden for fishermen whose income depends on the catch of the sea and weather conditions.

This condition changed after the government through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) presented a Solar Power Plant (PLTS) with a capacity of 50 kilowatt-peak (kWp) on the island. Since then, the people's economic life has slowly transformed.

Now, residents only pay treatment fees of around IDR 20,000 per month to enjoy electricity for a full 12 hours every night.

They divert the difference in the size of costs for other needs, including opening small businesses.

The existence of stable electricity has given birth to a variety of new economic activity. Housewives who previously only sunken fish are now starting to produce pastries, kelor leaf crackers, to handicrafts from marine shells that are commonly found around the island.

Rahmatia, one of the residents, said that with solar electricity, she and the group of fishing women could use blenders, dough pangolins, and roasters to increase production.

"In the past we could only work during the day. Now even at night we can produce," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, October 27.

This additional income from this business is a supporter of the family's economy, especially in the famine season when the catch decreases.

"Our income is not great, but it is enough to help the cost of children's schools," he said.

Children No Longer Go To Sea

The impact of solar electricity is also felt in the field of education. Prior to the PLTS, many of the children of Saugi Island went to sea with their parents because there was no adequate lighting for studying at night. Now, that situation is changing.

Head of the Mattiro Baji Village Representative Agency, Muh Anas, said the enthusiasm of the children to go to school has increased since the electricity. "Now it's night they can study or attend online school. It's rare for children to go to sea," he said.

Strengthened By PLN Through SuperSUN

The green energy program on Saugi Island is getting stronger after PT PLN (Persero) distributed aid through the Surya Power Solusi program for the Country (SuperSUN). This program is a form of PLN's innovation to deliver small-scale solar power in remote areas that have not been reached by conventional networks.

According to the General Manager of PLN, the Main Distribution Unit of South, Southeast and West Sulawesi (UID Sulselrabar), Edyansyah, as of August 2025, 1,457 SuperSUN units have been installed in the work area of PLN Sulselrabar. In addition, 358 schools have also obtained access to electricity from solar energy.

SuperSUN is not only about electricity, but about economic equity. When electricity comes, economic and educational activities will also grow," said Edyansyah.

Local Workers And Energy Independence

The sustainability of PLTS on Saugi Island is guarded by two local operators, Ilham and Yusman, who previously received technical training from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in Ciracas, Jakarta.

Both are responsible for ensuring more than 250 solar panels remain optimal every day.

Although the honorarium received was not large, the two of them worked with high dedication.

"We are aware that this work is not just making a living, but protecting the source of life of all citizens," said Ilham.

Green Economic Opportunities In The Future

The success of Saugi Island as an energy independent region has attracted the attention of the Pangkep Regency Government. Head of the Pangkep Regional Research and Development Planning Agency (Bapelitbangda), Iman Takbir, assessed that the economic potential of solar energy can be developed through cooperatives or village-owned enterprises (BUMDes).

"If it is managed together in the form of partnership, the capacity of PLTS can be increased. Residents can become players in the energy economy, not just users," he said.

Such a management model is in line with the direction of national green economy development which emphasizes community participation and decentralization of renewable energy.

Small Island For The Future Of Energy

Energy transformation on Saugi Island proves that the transition to clean energy does not always start from big cities or big industries. From this small island in the Semrmonde cluster, sustainable economic change has its roots in the simple life of coastal residents.

Now, Saugi Island is not only bright at night, but also a symbol of green energy-based economic independence.

"The energy of the sun does not only brighten the night, but opens up a brighter future for our children," said Rahmatia.