PLN's Electrifying Marine Program Capai 42,912 Customers In 2023

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

PT PLN (Persero) noted that the number of customers of the electrifying marine Program from PT PLN (Persero) increased by 4,799 customers to 42,912 customers as of December 2023.

The electrifying marine program is a PLN service to support and meet customers' electricity needs in ports and the fisheries sector.

The coverage of electrifying marine services includes the need for ship electricity when docked at ports, mini cold storage, and other electricity needs at pier locations, ports, and Fish Landing Bases (PPI) as well as Fish Auction Places (TPI) throughout Indonesia.

PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo emphasized PLN's commitment to providing the best electricity service for all customers in the country.

Darmawan said that electricity as the heart of the national economy is not only for daily needs but is encouraged to support national economic growth.

"Through electrifying marine, we want to contribute to encouraging productivity through saving business actors in the fisheries sector and optimizing port activities. This program also makes business activities from business people more environmentally friendly," Darmawan said in a statement to the media, Monday, January 15.

Throughout 2023, this program has succeeded in contributing to electricity consumption of 66.11 Gigawatt hour (GWh).

In total, until 2023 the electrifying marine program has provided electricity consumption of 2.32 Terawatt Hour (TWh) with an installed power of 1,343 Mega Volt Ampere (MVA).

Darmawan continued, this program was initiated by PLN to support Creating Shared Value (CSV) for the community and the surrounding environment.

"Through this program, we are working on Creating Shared Value (CSV) for the community and the surrounding environment. We believe that the use of various electrical-based technological innovations will lead business actors to become more modern which will make their productivity increase significantly compared to using fossil-based energy," said Darmawan.

Darmawan assessed that customers are also making it easier for PLN's stable and cheaper electricity availability than using fuel oil (BBM), especially for the fisheries sector.

"Through this electrifying marine program, business actors in the fisheries sector can switch to using electricity to make it cheaper and more productive. In addition, electricity is lower in emissions than fuel so that it is more environmentally friendly," said Darmawan.

Throughout 2023, this program has succeeded in suppressing CO2 (CO2e) emissions reaching more than 119 thousand tons of CO2e. So, in addition to supporting the energy transition, PLN is also able to move the wheels of the economy and bring prosperity to the community.

PLN's Retail and Commerce Director Edi Srimulyanti detailed that currently the most customers in the fisheries sector come from the East Java Distribution Main Unit (UID) with 15,301 subscribers and 342 MVA installed power.

Edi explained, for the realization of the use of ALMA (Mandiri Electricity Pavilion) or electricity usage above 5,500 volt ampere (VA) to 23,000 VA (1 Phasa or 3 Phasa) the majority are in the Maluku and North Maluku Regional Main Units (UIW). The total use of ALMA in this region is even able to penetrate 159.3 Megawatt hour (MWh).

In April 2023, PLN built three Sandar Ship Electric Supply Stations (SPLIKS) at the Waibalun Larantuka Port, East Nusa Tenggara to support local fishermen. Then in July 2023, PLN built the first Mandiri Electric Platform (ALMA) for Bangka Belitung at Tanjung Ru Port, Belitung Regency," continued Edi.

At Tanjung Ru Port, PLN operates ALMA with a power of 41.5 Kilo Volt Ampere (KVA) installed at the Water Front Pier.

ALMA can be used by fishermen to meet electricity needs as long as the ship docks, especially to revive cold storage which was originally based on fuel oil.

ALMA's existence is estimated to be able to cut fishermen's operating costs by up to 60 percent.

Then, Edi added, in July 2023, PLN also presented electrifying marine for ships docked at the New Makassar Container Terminal, South Sulawesi.

This collaboration program with PT Pelindo (Persero) has succeeded in realizing the East Indonesia gate into an environmentally friendly port or green port and is able to reduce operational costs by up to 61.97 percent per year.

And in August 2023, PLN presented a green fishery for fishermen in Sauwandarek village, Raja Ampat, West Papua. The assistance provided included three electric boat motorbikes, a fishfinder and cold storage with a capacity of 318 liters to make ice cubes and preserve caught fish. In addition, solar power plants (PLTS) with a capacity of 5.4 kWp were also built as a source of energy in using aid tools provided by PLN," said Edi.

"We will continue to improve this service, and reach other customers in Indonesia. PLN will continue to intensify the electrifying marine program through collaboration with all stakeholders from institutions and related government agencies," concluded Edi.