Cerita Tentang Kunjungan Ke Afrika, Menkomarves Sebut Indonesia Diminta Bantuan Pasokan Listrik

Illustration of the Rupiah (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan through his social media told about his working visit to Africa some time ago. According to him, there was one most memorable moment during a visit to South Africa.

"They asked Indonesia for assistance regarding the very minimal supply of electricity there, to the point that city lights in Johannesburg are often on," said Luhut, quoted on Monday, September 4.

In fact, he said, South Africa has stranded gas that has the potential to generate electricity up to 100 megawatts. Hearing this, the Indonesian government then took the initiative to make an agreement between Pertamina and South Africa to work together.

Not only that, Luhut said there were several cooperation agreements in the fields of energy, mineral resources, foodstuffs, and even pharmaceuticals that could be explored further with Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania.

"If in the past President Soekarno burned the spirit of the Asian and African nations in the 1955 KAA to escape the grip of colonialism, then this collaboration with several African countries is an effort to continue to revive the fire of 'Spirit Bandung'," Luhut continued.

According to Luhut, by unitedly fighting for the right to cultivate natural wealth, Indonesia and Africa independently, and sharing experiences between developing countries how to realize sustainable development, for a more equitable and just world era.

Just so you know, in this visit, PT PLN (Persero) became part of the historic visit of the President of the Republic of Indonesia (RI) Joko Widodo for the first time to Africa. During a visit to Africa on August 20-24, 2023, PLN will cooperate with an electric company that is also a State-Owned Enterprise (BUMN) from Africa, Tanzania Electricity Supply Co. Ltd. (TANESCO) to develop a reliable and sustainable electricity business. This visit also opens up a potential space for concrete cooperation that will provide benefits for Indonesia.

PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo explained that TANESCO has seen PLN's actions in the electricity business and become a global electricity company. Reflecting on PLN's actions, TANOSCO wants to develop the same business in Africa.

We will work together in developing the electricity sector ecosystem in Tanzania. TANESCO also sees the business transformation that PLN is doing and the transformation is intended to be adapted by them in Tanzania. Moreover, in the future, the electric challenges from clean energy must be solved together. For that, we are very open to this collaboration," said Darmawan.