Alhamdulillah, 560 Families In Remote Areas Of South Sulawesi Now Enjoy Electricity

Illustration of PLN officers checking electrical installations at residents' homes. (Photo: Doc of Public Relations of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources)

JAKARTA - PT PLN (Persero) has succeeded in electrifying 560 families living in remote areas of South Sulawesi with an investment of Rp. 3.6 billion from Government support through State Capital Investment (PMN).

General Manager of PLN's Regional Main Unit (UIW) for South Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi and West Sulawesi (Sulselrabar), Awaluddin Hafid said remote areas that were electrified by PLN consisted of 5 villages and 2 hamlets with as many as 560 families having enjoyed electricity.

The villages and hamlets include Pationgi Village, Dunru Hamlet and Mallenreng Hamlet in Bone Regency, Bontosomba Village and Cenrana Village in Maros Regency. Then Leppangeng Village in Sidrap Regency and Letta Village in Pinrang Regency.

"The presence of electricity in remote villages can expand electricity distribution. Until April 2022, the total electrification ratio in South Sulawesi has reached 99.78 percent," Awaluddin said in his statement to the media, Friday, May 13.

To electrify these seven villages and hamlets, he said, requires the construction of electricity infrastructure, namely a medium voltage network (JTM) of 32.81 kilometers (kms), a low-voltage network (JTR) of 11.41 kms, and 9 distribution substations. with a total capacity of 325 kilo Volt Ampere (kVA).

Awaluddin said this was the initial stage of PMN investment made by PLN in order to increase the electrification ratio and the ratio of electrified villages, in order to carry out the mandate from the government as a BUMN that carries out public service obligations (PSO), as well as social functions in the context of equitable development, improving quality. community life and become a driver of regional economic growth.

Awaluddin said that building electricity networks in these villages was not easy.

The team had to face problems during construction in Dunru Hamlet, Bone Regency, landslides occurred at several locations due to continuous heavy rains.

In addition, in Cenrana Village, Maros Regency, the pedestrian bridge used to mobilize materials was damaged.

"This challenge certainly does not discourage us from electrifying to remote areas," said Awaluddin.

Awaluddin is also optimistic that the presence of electricity can move the residents' economy so that it can spur regional economic growth.

With access to electricity, he continued, it is hoped that it will improve people's quality of life, access to education, health, and of course access to information.

"We are grateful that thanks to the support of the community and stakeholders, electricity can be enjoyed in these villages. PLN is committed to electrifying village after village in the 3T area to achieve the welfare of the wider community, and children can study at night," concluded Awaluddin.