Electricity At The Labuan Bajo Tourist Destination Is Ensured By PLN Without Blackouts

JAKARTA - PT PLN (Persero) inaugurated a zero downtime (ZDT) electricity service pilot project in the Labuan Bajo Tourism area, East Nusa Tenggara. This uninterrupted electricity service is also to support the activities of the G20 Summit, where Labuan Bajo was the site visit visited by the participants.

PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo explained that the application of ZDT services is a form of premium service from PLN to support government programs that make Labuan Bajo a super-priority tourism destination.

"PLN is mandated by the government to oversee the success of the event," said Darmawan, in his statement, quoted on Wednesday, February 23.

The first customer to get ZDT services was Hotel Sylvia. In the future, customers will enjoy electricity distribution services with the best and most reliable status compared to those that already exist.

"With reliable electricity service without flickering in Labuan Bajo, it is hoped that it can increase investor and visiting countries' confidence in the quality of electricity supply in Indonesia in general," he said.

Regarding the advantages of ZDT services, continued Darmawan, customers also get priority on when there is a power failure or the network expands. In addition, there is no power reduction in case of a power deficit in the system. Another advantage is the private and fast service from special PLN officers in the local unit, as well as increasing added value in the hotel business competition.

"In the ZDT service program in Labuan Bajo, there are 12 existing customers who will migrate to ZDT services. Sylvia Hotel with a B3 rate of 555 KVA is one of 12 customers who have committed to switching to ZDT services," he said.

Background ZDT Labuan Bajo has been planned since 2020, which combines the concept of increasing the reliability of electric power at the customer along with an increase in revenue for PLN.

Regional Business Director for Sulawesi Maluku Papua and Nusa Tenggara PLN, Adi Priyanto added, in the ZDT service, electricity supply to customers is obtained from two or more different feeder sources and operates in parallel. That way, if one of the power sources or feeders experiences a problem, the customer will still be on because they are still getting supply from another power source.

Adi added that PLN is also improving electricity supporting facilities by adding a 30 MVA transformer at the Labuan Bajo Substation and also the construction of the Labuan Bajo Substation - PLTMG Rangko transmission line.

"This step further strengthens the interconnection of the Flores electricity system, which ensures sufficient electricity supply to the Labuan Bajo area," said Adi.

To ensure these services, PLN has invested more than IDR 84 billion to build electricity and support infrastructure.

"We applied this ZDT service for the first time in NTT and in Eastern Indonesia, namely in Labuan Bajo. This is our commitment to provide the best service,” said Adi.

In addition to the ZDT pilot project, PLN is also reconfiguring the construction of a ground cable power network in the Labuan Bajo Super Priority Area which includes the Puncak Waringin area, Kampung Ujung, Marina, Kampung Tengah, Pede Beach Street, and the Hospitality area.

Head of the Labuan Bajo Tourism Authority, Shana Fatina, assessed that PLN's steps in improving the electricity system in NTT, especially in Labuan Bajo, were able to increase trust and attract investors to enter Labuan Bajo.

"Currently Labuan Bajo is a super-priority tourist destination, where all eyes are on Labuan Bajo. With reliable electricity support from PLN, tourism in Labuan Bajo can attract more tourists and investors," said Shana.

Alief Khunaefi, GM Hotel Silvia appreciates the application of electricity service without flickering in Labuan Bajo. This step is able to improve the services of tourism actors to customers.

"Moreover, Labuan Bajo is lined up for several international events, so that increasing electricity reliability is able to improve hotel services and other tourism instruments to the community," said Alif.

Not only that, in addition to Hotel Silvia, which has been energized, PLN also signed the SPJBTL (Electricity Sales and Purchase Agreement) Special Service ZDT on behalf of Hotel La Prima with service power rates of B3/555 KVA, Bintang Flores Hotel service power rates of B3/345 KVA and Jayakarta Hotel with a service power rate of B3/260 KVA.

Next 8 customers will follow Komodo Airport, Pelindo III Multi Purpose Terminal, Siloam Hospital, Denny Square, PT Prima Pratama Citra, Plataran Komodo, PT Indo Ferry Property, PT Tribali Manunggal Jaya as ZDT Customers in NTT in 2022.