"Electricity in Pemping Island has a power of 2 x 125 kV, while that used by the community is only 30kV. There is still excess power," said PGN Batam Sales Head Area Amin Hidayat in Batam on Friday.
Pemping Island is one of the three islands that are in the pipeline owned by PGN`s subsidiary, PT TGI, before distributing gas to Singapore.
A number of companies that have interests in Pemping Island, including PGN, TGI, CoconoPhillips and Petro China International Jabung, created a consortium to channel social responsibility funds there.
The consortium then completed the island with 2 gas-fired power plants with 125kV of power. Not only machines, the consortium also prepared gas as fuel.
"Unfortunately, that much electricity is not utilized," he said.
He encouraged the community and the business community to develop the industry there, by utilizing the existing electricity.
"It could build a `cold storage` facility, because the majority of the Pemping community comprises fishermen. If there is processing here, it`s better," he said.
Meanwhile, TGI Division 4 Regional Manager of Batam Oddy Jaka Rinaldi said the 30 kV electricity distribution was adjusted to the needs of the residents, even though the generating machine had more power than that.
"Because of the needs of the community, the majority of the fishermen, if it`s noon, are quiet," he said.
The electricity generated by the CSR consortium has now been enjoyed by around 200 heads of households who live on the island opposite Singapore.
Pemping Island resident Syamsudin said that he was grateful for the CSR channeled by the consortium.
"Before electricity from PT TGI, electricity was only available from 7:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. WIB. Now, it is available from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.," he said.
The power that can be used by the community is also greater than the diesel generator that was once provided by the Batam City Government. Earlier, it could only be used for lighting, and now, it is possible to turn on the TV and refrigerator.
Reporting by Jannatun Naim
Editing by Eliswan, Andi Abdussalam
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2018