Remote Villages In The Yapen Islands To Biak Nufor Get Village Electricity Program

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia (Photo: VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia ensured that the rural electricity program (Lisdes) has reached all corners of the country evenly.

In order to directly monitor its progress, Minister Bahlil visited a number of remote villages in Papua, starting from Tindaret Village in the Yapen Islands to Owi Island in Biak Numfor, on Thursday, July 24.

In Tindaret Village, electricity flows to the Kiriyow State Elementary School (SD) so as to revive a more modern and interactive teaching and learning atmosphere. This electricity supply is part of the School Revitalization and Learning Digitization program initiated by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

"I want this electricity to come in, so our children from school can use technology. One day they will become leaders in Papua, will become leaders in this nation, and will become great people, it is not impossible," Bahlil said in an official statement, Friday, July 25.

The Lisdes program in North Yapen not only brings electricity on, but also opens the door to opportunities for economic and socio-village developments.

Furthermore, Bahlil continued his visit to Owi Island, Biak Numfor Regency. So far, the local community has only enjoyed electricity for 12 hours a day from the Diesel Power Plant (PLTD). Bahlil emphasized the importance of increasing the capacity of power plants and adding fuel tanks so that electricity can turn on for full 24 hours.

"This one who has the electricity has arrived, Mr. President Director of PLN comes to Kampung Bapak/Mrs. All of this is just to say that he is ready to do what is requested by Mr., Mrs., brothers and sisters on this island, for 24-hour electricity," said Bahlil.

Based on the 2025'2029 Papua Lisdes roadmap initiated by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources together with PT PLN (Persero), for the Yapen Islands and Biak Numfor, it is planned to build access to electricity for their villages through the expansion of the individual electricity grid, mini grid and Solar Power Plant (PLTS) with batteries.