"If we are talking about minimum electricity for lighting, some 12,500 villages has yet to enjoy electricity. But only 2,500 villages which could not enjoy electricity for other needs," Jonan said in a general lecture on energy self-reliance at Malang Muhammadiyah University (UMM).
Within the next two years, thousands of villages with 350 thousand houses could enjoy the electricity, although not all of them would be supplied by state-run electricity firm PT PLN.
Jonan pointed some potentials that could be used to electrify the villages, among others home solar system.
Basic energy, he added, could be produced using local resources in each regions. Kalimantan for instance, which has an abundant resource of coal, could utilize steam-generated power plant from its mines.
While gas-rich province of Riau could develop well head gas power plant, he said.
"There is no regions in the country that did not have natural resources, at least they have rivers and sun light. And we will use these energy resources optimally."
The ministry would not rely on the government in developing renewable energy but it would involve private sectors, Jonan added.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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