PLN [should] later [try] to coordinate with the KPU [over] what is needed during the election, so that there is no problem [over] electricity needs
Depok (ANTARA) - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Ignasius Jonan asked state-owned electricity company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) to coordinate with the General Election Commission (KPU) to ensure the success of the 2019 election.

"PLN [should] later [try] to coordinate with the KPU [over] what is needed during the election, so that there is no problem [over] electricity needs," said Jonan, while reviewing the PLN substation in Depok, West Java, on Friday.

Jonan asked not only the Central KPU, but the PLN in the regions to be more active in coordinating with the local KPU's chapters (KPUD) to ensure the needs of each regional polling station.

"Remote areas are also our focus," said Jonan.

Meanwhile, on the same occasion, the PLN predicted the electricity consumption burden on Java during the 2019 election (April 17, 2019) would decrease by 5,000 MW.

"The usage on a normal day is usually 27,000 MW, and during an election, it is usually 22,000 MW," said PLN Central Java Regional Business Director Amir Rosidin.

Even though the burden had reduced, he explained that the state-owned electricity company had prepared a reserve of electricity supply for sudden needs in each region.

In addition to providing electricity reserves, Rosidin also said that he had provided PLN mobile or mobile cars and mobile network cables.

The PLN's 19 thousand task forces throughout Indonesia have been on standby from March 17, 2019, and will continue until May 24, 2019, until the counting of votes is completed.

Each polling station in the PLN area has also been provided with supplies and officers who are on standby to maintain the electricity network.

As the electricity burden is decreasing, the PLN will even put up several power plants up to a 1,000 MW scale in certain areas that already have sufficient supply.

Translator: Eliswan Azly
Editor: Bambang Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019