Electricity In Aceh Hasn't Completely Recovered, President Director Of PLN Apologizes

PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - President Director of PT PLN (Persero) Darmawan Prasodjo apologized because the electricity system in Aceh had not fully recovered.

Darmawan said that there was massive damage to the Aceh electricity system due to flash floods that occurred at the end of last November. One of the damage that occurred was the transmission between Bireun and Arun, there were 6 transmission towers that were swept away by the flood. As a result, PLN's generator in Arun was unable to drain electricity to Banda Aceh so that a rotating blackout was carried out.

"Well, in this case, we extend our deepest apologies to all Acehnese people," Darmawan said in a teleconference with the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, Tuesday, December 9.

Darmawan added, in the process of returning electricity from Arun to Banda Aceh, his party faced a number of technical challenges.

"The fact is that the distribution of electricity is much heavier than we thought," continued Darmawan.

According to him, if the electricity is successfully channeled from Arun to Banda Aceh, the electricity system in Aceh will recover 93 percent

"It turns out that they face very great technical challenges," continued Darmawan.

On the other hand, he continued, when a disaster occurred, the electricity transmission from Bireuen Regency headed to Central Aceh Regency, and Takengon, until Bener Meriah could not be fully connected because the majority of the towers were damaged due to being swept away by the flood.

The PLN boss is also committed to restoring PLN's low-voltage networks in Aceh areas that are still isolated, including Bener Meriah, Aceh Tamiang, Gayo Lues, and Takengon.

"Once again I apologize and ensure that we, the team, continue to work fully to how to restore the electricity system in Aceh," Darmawan explained.