Dominated By The Eastern Region, PLN Wants To Speed Up Electricity Installation In Pelosok

Electricity (photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - PT PLN (Persero) together with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out government directives in accelerating the provision of access to electricity for all levels of society to remote areas of the country.

Coordinator of Plans and Reports of the Directorate General of Electricity, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Eri Nurcahyanto, revealed that there are still 10,068 locations throughout Indonesia that have not enjoyed access to electricity. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources together with PLN have identified and compiled strategic steps to accelerate the provision of energy in these areas.

"Indeed, for the eastern region to become our common homework, because the electrification ratio or access to electricity must be increased. We must work hard for that. The President is committed to resolving (problems) for the community, which until today have not enjoyed access to electricity within the next 4 to 5 years," said Eri, Monday, August 4.

According to him, cross-sector synergy is the key in encouraging the acceleration of national electrification. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, PLN, local governments, as well as business actors and development partners continue to strengthen collaboration so that every step taken can run effectively, sustainably, and in accordance with the characteristics and needs of their respective regions.

From eastern Indonesia, the Governor of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, expressed his appreciation to PLN for its commitment and concrete steps to expand access to New and Renewable Energy (EBT)-based electricity. According to him, the development of EBT is the right long-term solution to answer geographical challenges and limited fossil energy supply.

"Currently we are continuing to increase the use of EBT or the use of power plants from new and renewable energy, this is a force in East Nusa Tenggara," said Melki.

Furthermore, Melki added that NTT Province has abundant local energy potential, ranging from wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, to water energy and ocean currents. He hopes that the optimization of the potential for EBT in eastern Indonesia will continue to be seriously encouraged and used as a power plant.

"From everything there is, what we just had time to push is geothermal. Thank you to PLN because since 2012 we have made (thermal Power Plant) in Ulumbu," he added.

Director of PLN Distribution, Arsyadany Ghana Akmalaputri, expressed PLN's readiness and commitment in presenting electricity throughout the country as part of Pancasila's mandate to realize justice for all Indonesian people.

PLN will carry out a mandate from the government to increase and distribute electricity to all corners of Indonesia. And because for us it is not just light, but this is a sign of the presence of justice, progress and hope for all children of the country," said Arsyadany.

He added that most areas that have not been electrified are in the 3T area with geographical challenges that are not easy. To answer this, PLN applies a Lisdes New Way approach that shifts the electricity system from the centralization model to distributed generation and smart microgrid-based local renewable energy. This approach is reinforced by geospatial-based mapping, making it more adaptive and efficient in reaching remote points.

This strategy is carried out through various efforts, including the use of battery-based solar power plants (PLTS) which are considered effective in responding to electrification challenges in areas that are difficult to reach conventional networks. In addition, PLN also collaborates across functions combined with the strategic program of the Electricity New Installation Assistance (BPBL) ESDM and Light Up The Dream (LUTD) PLN.

The presence of access to electricity can create a real multiplier effect for people's lives through strengthening the education sector, health services, local economy, and food security. So this also supports the achievement of the national economic growth target," concluded Arsyadany.