PLN Explains How to Calculate Prepaid Electricity Token

JAKARTA - PT PLN (Persero) has revealed how to calculate prepaid electricity tokens. The reason is that prepaid electricity tokens are often considered the same as mobile phone credit, even though the mechanism of use is different.

Executive Vice President of Corporate Communications and Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) of PT PLN (Persero), Gregorius Adi Trianto explained that mobile pulses in the form of balances that can be used for internet services, calling or text messages, while electricity tokens are energy allowances that will decrease as electricity is used at home.

"In the prepaid electricity system, customers buy electricity at the beginning in the form of kilowatt hours (kWh) and not rupiah balance. Every time electricity is used, the number of kWh on the meter will continue to decrease until it is finally exhausted and needs to be recharged," he said, quoted Wednesday, January 28.

He explained that this system was created so that customers could know and control their electricity usage from the start.

"In the prepaid system, customers buy a certain amount of electricity energy allocation. This allocation is used by all electrical equipment in the house and will decrease as it is used. Therefore, the total energy is available in kilowatt hours (kWh)," continued Gregorius.

In its use, he continued, electricity cannot be separated based on function or tool. This means that all equipment uses the same power source, so the reduction is calculated from the total energy used.

In addition, in every purchase of prepaid electricity tokens there are several components that are cut at the beginning. Among them are the Road Lighting Tax (PPJ) whose amount is determined by the local government, as well as administrative costs according to the channel of purchase used. For transactions with a nominal above Rp5,000,000, a stamp duty is also imposed according to the provisions.

As an illustration, a household customer with a power of 1,300 volt ampere (VA) who buys an electricity token worth Rp100,000, will be subject to a reduction in PPJ and administrative fees. After deducting, the value converted into electricity is in the range of Rp90,000 to Rp94,000.

He added, with the household electricity tariff of 1,300 watts at Rp1,444.70 per kWh, the amount is equivalent to around 63 to 65 kWh. This is the amount of kWh that goes into the meter and will decrease as the electricity in the house is used.

Gregorius added that the prepaid electricity token system gives customers direct control in managing daily electricity consumption.

"Prepaid electricity tokens are energy purchases, not just rupiah nominal. All calculations are made transparently and recorded in the system. Simply put, electricity tokens are allocations of electricity use that will continue to decrease as electricity is used," said Gregorius.

By understanding how prepaid electricity tokens work, customers are expected to understand the difference between the purchase amount and the number of kWh received, and to be able to plan electricity use more wisely according to needs.