"I strongly hope that the people of Lubuk Bangkar would utilize the electricity for their welfare," Bambang said after commissioning the power plant.
The PLTMH project was built under the program, of the Uited Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the New and Renewable Energy Directorate General (EBTKE) of the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry and the Jambi provincial administration. It could supply electricity to 803 households in four isolated villages in two districts in Jambi.
The four villages are Lubuk Bangkar in the district of Sarolangun, Ngaol, Air Liki and Air Liki Baru in the sub-district of Tabir Barat in the district of Merangin.
Bambang said with the electric energy, economic development in the village of Lubuk Bangkar would grow fast.
He said electricity is a basic necessity and part of infrastructure for economic development in rural areas.
He said PLTMH is strategic to support the government`s program to eliminate poverty.
Meanwhile acting Governor of Jambi Fachrori Umar said the construction of PLTMH in the village of Lubuk Bangkar in the district of Sarolangun is a breakthrough and at the same time a solution to shortage in energy supply in the area.
"The PLTMH project is a solution to areas not yet receiving electric energy or could not yet covered by PLN facility," Fachrori said.
The village of Lubuk Bangkar is an example of area located far away from urban area, and is difficult to reach in Jambi.
"The province of Jambi has an electrification ratio of 95.55 percent with rural electrification ratio of 94.49 percent, which means 4/45 percent of households have not received power supply," he said.
In order to improve the electrification ratio, the provincial administration would rely on power supply from the state electric company PLN and construction of non PLN facility producing energy such as PLTMH, he said.
He said he hoped with the operation of the PLTMH project, the people of Lubuk Bangkar could improve their economy and welfare.
Reporting by Dodi Saputra
Editing by A Saragih, Eliswan
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
