2.412 Residents Of South Sumatra Received Electricity New Installation Assistance

Director of Engineering and Environment of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Dwinugroho (left) inaugurated the Electricity New Installation Assistance (BPBL) program. (Photo: Doc. PLN)

JAKARTA - A total of 2,412 household heads in South Sumatra Province get free electricity through the Electricity New Installation Assistance (BPBL) program which is now 100 percent installed.

From this figure, Banyuasin Regency received 1,131 household connections spread across 10 sub-districts.

"Currently there are still poor people who already have a PLN electricity network in front of their homes, but have not been able to get direct access to electricity because of the inability to pay for the cost of new installs of electricity, so they have to distribute or share electricity connections with neighbors," said Director of Engineering and Environment, Dwinugroho to the media, Saturday, December 10.

Dwinugroho said, looking at this, one of the government's efforts to increase the electrification ratio and help the community to gain access to electricity through this BPBL program.

This program is also one of several efforts to equalize access to electricity throughout the archipelago by providing assistance with new installations of 450 VA electricity for poor households (RT) without electricity registered in the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS).

On the same occasion, member of Commission VII DPR RI Yulian Gunhar expressed his appreciation for the joint synergy from the Government, DPR RI and also PT PLN (Persero). "I thank all parties who have facilitated this BPBL program," said Yulian.

Banyuasin Regent Askolani Jasi said the BPBL program is a Presidential program through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources implemented by PLN and is expected with the BPBL program to be able to increase the electrification ratio and can improve people's standard of living and independence with access to electricity owned by themselves.

He said that although it was already 100 percent electrified, there were still villages that had not been connected.

"There are still three villages whose conditions are very far away and protected by protected forests. I hope that everything will be resolved," said Askolani.

Rachman (36 years old), a construction worker who is a beneficiary of the BPBL Program, expressed his gratitude, now he is no longer providing electricity from his neighbors.

"I am very happy to get free electricity. Previously, I distributed electricity from my neighbors' homes," he said.

Selain Ramli, program BPBL juga diberikan kepada Abdul Salam (33 tahun) yang selama ini mengalurkan dari rumah orang tuanya.

The recipients of the BPBL program will receive 450 VA power house electrical installations, 3 lights points, 1 contact box, inspection and testing of the Operational Feasibility Certificate (SLO) installation, connection to PLN and the initial electricity token.