"We are trying to supply electricity to the whole region in 2019. This figure has exceeded the target in 2017, with 92.75 percent," Secretary of the Directorate General of Electricity from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Agoes Triboesono, stated during the discussion event on the Electricity Services of Indonesia, organized by Forum Merdeka Barat 9 (FMB9) of the Ministry of Communication and Informatics, in Jakarta on Thursday.
It is said that when calculated by area, the highest electrification ratio is in West Java, with 99.87 percent; followed by Banten, with 99 percent; and the capital city of Jakarta, with 98.8 percent, which means that the various regions in Indonesia have already received 70 to 90 percent electrification ratio.
Although there are many areas with high electrification rate, there are still a number of areas with low electrification, including East Nusa Tenggara, with 58.99 percent; and Papua, with 48.91 percent, he added.
"Indonesia`s geographic condition, as an archipelagic country, is one of the reasons why electrifications in East Nusa and Papua are still low," he remarked.
He further stated that despite these geographical conditions, the electrification ration in the two provinces still need to be increased, so that the local people can enjoy the benefits of electricity.
"We continue to make serious effort in order to accelerate the development of electricity infrastructure in eastern Indonesia," he revealed.
Head of PLN`s Corporate Communications Unit I Made Suprateka stated that currently, there are around 2,500 villages that are yet to receive electricity flow in Indonesia. This is not only happening in the eastern part of the country but also in villages in West Java and Banten.
The villages without electricity supply are generally located in remote areas, with a small community of only 20-50 people. In addition, they are rather difficult to be reached by power lines.
In addition, he added that some 10 thousand villages have already been supplied with electricity, but they are not operating around the clock. Rather, the people can only use electricity for eight hours a day or less.
"Up to September 2017, there are already 73,656 villages with electricity all over Indonesia, and the number will continue to grow," Suprateka explained.
He elaborated that his office has prepared a number of power plants, including hydroelectric (hydropower) and gas powered (PLTG) zones, specifically to deal with the rather low electrification ration in Papua.
Reported by Ahmad Wijaya
(UU.KR-ARC/A/KR-BSR/F001)
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017
