PLN Boss Claims Ready To Restore Sumatra-Langsa Transmission Connection

JAKARTA - President Director of PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) Darmawan Prasodjo revealed that his party is trying to restore Aceh's transmission connection with the Sumatran electricity system backbone.

Darmawan explained, until now the Aceh electricity system has not yet recovered due to the collapse of several electricity infrastructures after being swept away by flash floods.

"There is also a transmission from Langsa to Bandan Base, so the Aceh listing system is isolated from the Sumatra backbone. From South Sumatra to Aceh it is still isolated," said Darmawan, Tuesday, December 9.

Darmawan admitted that he was assigned by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadali to immediately restore the electricity system.

"Earlier, the direction from the Minister, we were all ready to carry out, restore transmission from Sumatra backbone to Langsa (Aceh)," continued Darmawan.

To improve the electricity system that has been swept away by the flash flood, PLN has determined the time for the next five days.

On the other hand, PLN also carried out a rotating blackout due to a shortage of 40 megawatts (MW) of electricity supply.

"This improvement will take until Sunday, where we will immediately restore Banda Aceh until Sunday," continued Darmawan.

As a step to reduce the frequency of power outages, PLN has also brought in generators, especially for the Banda Aceh region, which has a shortage of electricity supply of 40 megawatts (MW).

Darmawan apologized because the electricity network in Aceh had not yet recovered after the flash floods and landslides.

The reason is, there was massive damage to the Aceh electricity system due to the flash flood that occurred at the end of last November.

One of the damage that occurred was the transmission between Bireun and Arun, there were 6 transmission towers that were swept away by the flood.

Akibatnya, pembangkit milik PLN di Arun tidak dapat mengalirkan listrik ke Banda Aceh sehingga dilakukan pemadaman bergilir.

"Nah untuk itu, dalam hal ini kami menyampaikan permohonan maaf yang sedalam-dalamnya kepada seluruh masyarakat Aceh," pungkas Darmawan.

As a result, PLN's generator in Arun was unable to drain electricity to Banda Aceh so that a rotating blackout was carried out.

"Well, in this case, we extend our deepest apologies to all Acehnese people," concluded Darmawan.