Edi Julianto and Cahaya Aceh who must remain lit

Photo: PLN

JAKARTA - At 16.00 WITA, December 11, 2025, Edi Julianto, 53 years old, received the news that his duty was to be part of the PLN Nusa Daya Operation Control Assistance (BKO) team in Banda Aceh. And that changed his day.

Without much time to prepare, he was asked to leave because the area had just been hit by a disaster that paralyzed the electricity system. Then, the restoration of the power plant must be done as quickly as possible.

Edi is a maintenance team from Pontianak, under PLN Nusa Daya. Aceh is not his work area. The distance is far. The field is not easy. But for Edi, the task is a call. He doesn't ask much. He knows, the light must be turned back on.

That morning, December 12, 2025, he left home. Without a promise of when he could return. Without certainty of what he would face on the field. All he knew was that Aceh needed manpower. And he had to leave.

Aceh was assigned to the longest-running Edi power plant outside Pontianak. Almost two weeks, he was away from home. His days were filled with work without pause. Checking damaged networks. Restoring the electrical system. Moving from one point to another power plant, following the needs of electricity restoration.

In the field, disasters leave many limitations. Access is increasingly difficult because many bridges are broken. The weather is unpredictable, the rain never stops. Electricity is not the only thing that is lost. People's hopes have also been extinguished. That's where Edi and his colleagues work. In silence. Without spotlight.

At a time when many people are waiting for the end of the year, Edi actually spends the night at the work site. Under the emergency lights. Among the cables, poles, and generator sounds. For him, the holidays can wait. Electricity can't.

In between the heavy duty, Edi always took the time to contact home. A short call. A simple message. Just to make sure the family was okay. Especially his youngest daughter. She was only nine years old.

The voice of his young wife became a reinforcement of his steps. At the same time, a source of longing that cannot be avoided. Every time the call ends, Edi focuses again on his work. Saving feelings. Strengthening yourself.

"It's sad," said Edi, recalling that moment. His words were short. His tone was flat. But the meaning was deep. "But the task to light up Aceh is more important," he said softly.

For Edi, electricity is not just light. "Electricity is life. With electricity, children can learn again. Hospitals can operate normally. Small businesses can run. Community activities can slowly recover," he said.

He knows, every connected cable is hope. Every light that turns on is a sign that life is moving again. That awareness makes him survive, even though the longing continues to knock.

On the field, Edi stands at the forefront of recovery. His body is tired. His mind is full. But he keeps working. Because there are many houses waiting for light. Many families are hoping.

Edi is not alone. Together with thousands of other PLN officers, he helped turn on Aceh which had been dark.

Not long after Edi and his friends arrived, the diesel engines at the PLTD Nusa Daya Krueng Raya began to roar on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. His voice marked more than just a functioning plant - it became a symbol of hope for the Aceh people after the disaster.

With a capacity of 15 Megawatts (MW), this plant is operated by PT PLN Nusa Daya, a subsidiary of PT PLN (Persero), to strengthen the electricity supply in the affected areas. The momentum of its operation is also crucial, ahead of Christmas and New Year, and as an anticipation of the reliability of the system leading up to Ramadan.

This step is part of PLN Nusa Daya's quick action in restoring the Aceh electricity system. In an emergency, the presence of a power plant is not only about adding power, but ensuring that people's wheels of life turn again - the house is lit again, economic activities run, and public spaces come back to life.

PLN Nusa Daya President Director, Feby Joko Priharto, said the operation of the Krueng Raya PLTD was a manifestation of the company's commitment to always be present at crucial moments. "In 14 days, the PLTU was able to operate again," he said.

Even the Director of PLN Holding's Power Generation Management, Rizal Calvary Marimbo, assessed the operation of the Krueng Raya PLTD as one of the fastest since the planning stage until the machine was operational. "This shows the readiness of the organization and the strength of the execution in the field," he said.

Currently, the Banda Aceh electricity system is supported by a supply of 32 MW, originating from the Lueng Bata PLTD with a capacity of 7 MW and the PLN Nusa Daya power backup of 25 MW. In the future, the strengthening will continue through the operation of the Ulee Kareng PLTD with a capacity of 25 MW, so that the total backup power reaches 57 MW.

On December 25, 2025, the task was finally completed. Edi returned to Pontianak. Bringing a story that not everyone has heard. About working in the midst of disaster. About dedication that is not always visible.

He came home as a father. As a husband. And as an electrician who has fulfilled his duty.

In Aceh, the lights came back on. The streets came back to life. Activities slowly became normal. In Pontianak, a child hugged his father with longing that paid off.

Between the two cities, there is a story about Edi Julianto. About someone who chooses to leave when his heart wants to stay. About a light that not only lights up in someone else's house, but also in his own.

Because for Edi, duty is not just a job. Duty is devotion. And the light, must remain lit. Light Acehku!