Continue Free Electricity Marketing Program, PLN And The Ministry Of Energy And Mineral Resources Sasar 5,740 Residents In East Java

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - PT PLN (Persero) together with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) will continue the free Electricity New Installation Assistance (BPBL) program. This time, the program flows to 5,740 residents in Bojonegoro, Tuban and Lamongan.

Secretary of the Directorate General of Electricity at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Ida Nuryatin Finahari said the government would help finance the installation of house electrical installations, costs for Operational Feasibility Certification (SLO), new connection fees (BP) as well as the filling of the initial electricity tokens. "This BPBL program using the 2022 Budget State Budget is proof that the state is present in an effort to increase the electrification ratio to meet the 100 percent target. Hopefully with this assistance, the public will not be able to get reliable, safe access to electricity, and be able to improve the standard of living of the community," explained Ida in an official statement, Friday, October 21. The BPBL program itself is intended for underprivileged households registered in the Social Welfare Integrated Data (DTKS), domiciled in the 3T area and/or met the criteria as candidates for BPBL recipients which are validated by the village/lurah or equivalent officials. Meanwhile, Member of Commission VII DPR RI Ratna Juwita Sari explained that this BPBL is a sustainable program which is expected to help meet electricity needs, especially the poor. He also ensures that it will oversee the BPLB program, especially for areas that are still not electrified.

"Thanks to the synergy and good cooperation between the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and PLN, so that it can provide assistance in connecting free electricity. In essence, this program is a clear proof of the government's presence to help the community," said Ratna.

General Manager of PLN's East Java Distribution Main Unit, Lasiran, revealed that in this BPBL program, PLN is committed to supporting the government's program to provide equal access to electricity throughout Indonesia.

Lasiran hopes that through this program, residents can improve their standard of life and can increase the electrification ratio in East Java.

Since August 2022, PLN has realized a free new connection program, phase I to III have turned on 1,631 customers, the target for stage III totaling 5,740 customers will be completed on October 23, 2022.

Through Presidential Instruction number 4 of 2022 concerning the Acceleration of the Elimination of extreme poverty, the point is to prepare the availability and adequacy of energy and electrification for poor families. Later, the recipients of assistance will get electrical installations for houses in the form of 3 lights and 1 contact box, inspection and installation testing in the form of an SLO and an initial electricity token," explained Lasiran. The program which refers to Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation Number 3 of 2022 concerning Assistance to Install New Electricity for Incapable Households will target 80,000 households who are unable to be electrified throughout Indonesia. In East Java itself, there were 18,022 poor households that were targeted as beneficiaries.