Target 5,600 North Sumatra Residents Receiving Free Electricity Connections From The Government, A Total Of 292 RTs Have Been Realized

Photo: Doc. Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) and PT PLN (Persero) distributed the Electricity New Installation Assistance Program (BPBL) to 5,600 households in North Sumatra Province. This assistance is intended for the poor.

The Director of Electricity Entrepreneurship at the Directorate General of Electricity, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Jisman Hutajulu, revealed that of the 5,600 households that received the BPBL allocation for North Sumatra Province, 884 points were located in the Deli Serdang Regency area.

"As of October 14, 2022, 292 households have been connected in North Sumatra Province. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and PLN are committed to completing the completion of this program's electricity connection until the end of the 2022 fiscal year," said Jisman in an official statement, Wednesday, October 26.

As is known, the BPBL program is a synergy between the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and the Indonesian House of Representatives as an effort to increase the electrification ratio. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has assigned PLN to carry out procurement and installation activities for BPBL for the 2022 Fiscal Year with a target of 80,000 connections throughout Indonesia.

On the same occasion, Member of Commission VII DPR Hendrik Sitompul said BPBL was one of the priority programs that received serious attention from Commission VII DPR RI because it had a direct impact on all levels of society, especially those who were underprivileged.

"In 2022, there will be 80,000 households that will be targeted by the new electricity installation assistance program, including in North Sumatra Province," he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Regent of Deli Serdang M. Ali Yusuf Siregar expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, especially the Directorate General of Electricity, Commission VII DPR RI, and PLN for paying attention and concern to Deli Serdang Regency.

"It is hoped that this BPBL program can meet the needs of the community, improve a better standard of living, make the best use of it, use it safely and provide the greatest benefits", said Ali.

The EVP of PLN Retail Customer Service Mohammad Munief Budiman expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources in this case the Directorate General of Electricity who gave PLN confidence for the assignment of the BPBL program.

Three residents who received BPBL assistance in Deli Serdang were Yanti (45), Marwiyah (41), and Hasnah (70).

"I am happy to be able to get electricity, hopefully in the future all residents can feel more electricity," said Yanti.

Marwiyah, who works as a fisherman, usually distributes electricity from his neighbor's house, now has his own electric meter. He thanked the free electricity provided by the government. "I am very happy with this free electricity assistance," said Marwiyah.