Throughout 2021, PLN Disburses IDR 18.6 Billion To Light 18,377 Families

President Director of PLN Darmawan Prasodjo. (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The government through PT PLN (Persero) provides assistance for electricity connection costs to 18,377 underprivileged families according to the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS) throughout Indonesia throughout 2021.

PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo said the electricity provided by PLN in this assistance was 450 Volt Ampere (VA).

The distribution of the electricity connection costs is part of the PLN Social & Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) program in 2021, with a total budget of Rp. 18.6 billion.

"The TJSL program aims to help the community, including in the form of business development and providing assistance with electricity connection costs," Darmawan told reporters, Friday, June 3.

According to him, usually in providing electricity, PLN is only obliged to build a network to supply electricity to customers' homes.

Meanwhile, for the manufacture of installations in the house and the cost of connecting electricity is usually the responsibility of the customer.

However, with this assistance, all public obligations are borne by PLN, this shows that the government is always there for the poor.

"Not only connecting electricity, the assistance includes installation and Operational Eligibility Standards (SLO)," he said.

Darmawan said that this free electricity connection assistance is a form of fulfilling PLN's obligations in distributing electricity throughout Indonesia.

In addition, it is also a form of state presence through energy access.

"We continue to increase the electrification ratio, assistance through PLN TJSL such as electricity connection assistance is needed by the community. But more than that, PLN is committed that we will serve electricity throughout Indonesia," he said.

Through the assistance of free electricity connection, it is hoped that it can improve the living standards of the poor, because with the presence of electricity, people can be more productive.

In addition, because the lighting is not limited, children can also study more freely at night, so the presence of electricity can create the next generation who excels.

"One cause of poverty and inequality is the lack of access to basic infrastructure, one of which is electricity. Through PLN's TJSL program, the government is here to overcome poverty in Indonesia," he added.