"I do not want them to linger on till 2020. These should be completed by 2019," Jokowi said.
Sentani, Papua (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo has directed that the electricity infrastructure projects in Papua and West Papua provinces be completed by 2019.

"I do not want them to linger on till 2020. These should be completed by 2019," he said when inaugurating six electricity infrastructure projects at Waena substation in Sentani in the district of Jayapura, Papua, on Monday.

He admitted that geographical conditions in Papua are challenging but stressed that these must not be used as an excuse to delay the projects.

"I know the situation is tough but that is a challenge that projects in Papua and West Papua always pose. I know this but the projects must not be delayed," he reiterated.

President Joko Widodo has asked the president director of state-owned power company, PT PLN, to complete electricity infrastructure projects in Papua faster.

Not only are the electricity infrastructure projects being expedited but also other projects such as those meant to develop connectivity between districts, such as road development, are also being pushed.

President Joko Widodo inaugurated six electricity infrastructure projects including Orya Genyem 2x10 MW hydro-power generating plant, Prafi 2x1.25MW mini hydro-power generating plant, the 174.6 km long 70 kilovolt transmission line circuit in Genyem, Waena, Jayapura, the 43.4 kilometer 70 kilovolt transmission line circuit between Holtekamp-Jayapura, the 20 megavolt ampere Waena substation in Sentani and 20 megavolt ampere substation in Jayapura.

PLN president director Sofyan Basyir noted that the six projects were worth Rp989 billion.

"With the six electricity projects becoming operational, the PLN will be able to save up to Rp161 billion worth of oil fuel per year," he informed.

He commented that the electricity network in Papua and West Papua is increasingly becoming more reliable, supported by the 70kV transmission system (SUTT) and the 20 MVA substation (GI).

"The 70 kV SUTT and the substation is the first SUTT and GI in Papua," he underlined.

The success of the six electricity infrastructure projects is very important for Papua and West Papua in view of the increasing need of electricity in the two eastern provinces.

"It is especially so in case of the 70kV SUTT from Orya Genyem to Jayapura which involved construction of 323 towers," he added.

Sofyan stated that Papua has a hilly topography with little accessibility and that posed a special challenge for PLN during the construction.

Thanks to the hard work of PLN workers and assistance from all stakeholders as well as community members and local governments, the 70 kV SUTT from Orya Genyem to Waena and Jayapura as well as the 70 kV SUTT from Holtekam to Jayapura were duly completed, he explained.

"We are now building new power generating plants with a total capacity of 253 MW in 13 districts in Papua and West Papua, a 246 kilometer long transmission circuit and eight substations worth Rp7 trillion," he disclosed.

He cited the new and renewable energy-based energy sources in Papua and West Papua as proof of the PLNs commitment to support plans to enhance the energy sources by 23 percent by 2025.

As of now, the total supply of electricity in Papua and West Papua is recorded at 294 MW with the peak burden reaching 242 MW and eight percent annual growth rate with the 521,000 total customers.

"With the completion of the projects, electricity capacity in Papua and West Papua will double by 2019 and PLN is ready to lend support to ensure the success of the 2020 National Games in Papua," he assured.

PLN has set a target of supplying electricity to all sub-district capitals in the outermost islands and border regions by 2019 and increasing the rural electricity operational hours to 24 hours a day.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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