Electricity Tariffs Don't Rise Next Month, Here's The Reason

Electric Tariff (Photo: dock. Antara)

JAKARTA - The government through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has decided whether the electricity tariff in the first quarter or January to March 2024 for 13 groups of non-subsidized customers will change or not.

The Director General of Electricity, Jisman P. Hutajulu explained that this policy is part of the government's efforts through the electricity sector to maintain the competitiveness of business actors, maintain people's purchasing power and maintain inflation levels.

"The electricity tariff from January to March 2024 has been decided to maintain the competitiveness of business actors, maintain people's purchasing power and maintain inflation levels in the new year," said Jisman in an official statement, Thursday, December 28.

Furthermore, Jisman explained that the decision was in accordance with the provisions of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation Number 28 of 2016 jo. Regulation of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Number 8 of 2023, adjustments to electricity tariffs for non-subsidized customers are carried out every 3 months.

Where this tariff adjustment refers to changes in the realization of macroeconomic parameters, namely the exchange rate, Indonesian Crude Price (ICP), inflation, and the Reference Coal Price (HBA).

Referring to these provisions, continued Jisman, the macroeconomic parameters used for the first quarter of 2024 were realization in August, September, and October of 2023, namely an exchange rate of IDR 15,446.85 per US dollar, ICP of 86.49 dollars per barrel, inflation of 0.11 percent and HBA of 70 US dollars per ton according to the coal DMO policy.

Furthermore, Jisman explained that the electricity tariff for 25 subsidized groups of customers also did not change and was still given electricity subsidies.

"This includes social customers, poor households, small industries, and customers who use electricity for micro, small and medium enterprises or MSMEs," said Jisman.

Jisman also hopes that PLN will continue to take operational efficiency steps and spur more aggressive sales of electricity while maintaining the quality of service provided to the community.