PLN Illuminates 3,339 Families In 71 Remote Villages In West Sulawesi

Illustration of PLN officers repairing network installations. (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - PT PLN (Persero) provides electricity supply to 71 remote villages with a total of 3,339 customers in West Sulawesi Province from 2021 to the first quarter of 2022.

The development of electricity infrastructure to these villages is funded by the State Capital Investment (PMN) worth IDR 73.4 billion.

PLN Regional Business Director for Sulawesi, Maluku, Papua and Nusa Tenggara, Adi Priyanto said, to distribute electricity to these villages, PLN built a number of electricity infrastructure, namely a medium voltage network (JTM) along 188 kilometers of circuits (kms), a low voltage network ( JTR) along 95 kms, as well as 98 units of distribution substations with a total capacity of 4,100 kVA.

"We are making this effort to provide a sense of justice for people in remote areas, the state is present through electricity supply from PLN," Adi said in an official statement, Monday, June 20.

He revealed, with the electrification of 71 villages, it will increase the distribution of electricity or the electrification ratio.

Until May 2022, the total electrification ratio of West Sulawesi is 98.46 percent.

"The presence of electricity is expected to increase the productivity and economy of the people in West Sulawesi," he said.

Adi said that the struggle of PLN officers to bring electricity to remote areas was very challenging.

Moreover, the location of village electricity in West Sulawesi mostly has steep terrain and is in the mountains.

One of them is in Salurindu and Sulai Hamlets, Malunda District, Majene Regency, West Sulawesi.

The condition of the road leading to the hamlet is very challenging, so material mobilization must be carried out using various techniques in order to arrive at the location properly.

Adi appreciates the support of the community and stakeholders so that infrastructure development in the area is completed and can be electrified.

PLN is committed to providing electricity to villages for the welfare of the wider community and children can study at night.

"We also thank the local community for their help, because access to the hamlet is a bridge that can only be passed by motorbikes. Finally, PLN officers and the community worked together to transport materials across the river," he explained.

Thanksgiving was also present from the Head of Kambunong Hamlet, Karossa District, Central Mamuju Regency, Sunardi.

"We are grateful that the electricity connection to our house has been carried out and we don't forget to thank the provincial, district and PLN governments for their attention to us so that we can enjoy electricity," said Sunardi.