PLN is committed to complete all electricity infrastructure projects, which are a part of national strategic projects, despite several challenges and setbacks in the progressJakarta (ANTARA) - State-owned electricity company PT PLN said it has completed 27 electricity infrastructure projects valued at Rp3.3 trillion (US$231 million) in 2021.
"PLN is committed to complete all electricity infrastructure projects, which are a part of national strategic projects, despite several challenges and setbacks in the progress," the company's director for megaprojects and renewable energy, Wiluyo Kusdwiharto, said in Jakarta on Friday.
The 27 electricity projects completed by the company this year comprise 11 electrical substations with a total capacity of 700 MVA, 12 electrical transmission networks with a total length of 819.47 kilometers, and four power plants with a total capacity of 590 MW, he informed.
At least 75.03 percent of the materials used in the projects, or equivalent to Rp2.5 trillion (US$175 million), were procured from domestic sources, he added.
The director also lauded all PLN staff who contributed to efforts to ensure reliable electricity distribution for residents and businesses.
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By completing electricity infrastructure projects, the company has contributed to national economic recovery efforts and enhanced electricity infrastructure in the Indonesian islands, particularly Sulawesi, he noted.
Meanwhile, general manager of PLN's Sulawesi central construction unit, Defiar Anis, said that the electricity infrastructure projects are aimed at boosting economic activities and investment in Sulawesi by enhancing electrical installations for smelter development.
The recently-completed 150kV Kima-Daya Baru high-voltage power line grid has served Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport, Makassar, as an electric power backup provider and boosted development in the Mamminasata national strategic area, he pointed out.
The projects are also aimed at assisting the government in achieving net-zero emissions by 2060, as around 350 MW of electricity produced by the new facilities is powered by renewable sources, he said.
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"This goal is consistent with the PLN's transformation program for encouraging green development; the company is also abiding by the government instruction to commence the transition to sustainable energy," Anis added.
The general manager highlighted several challenges that the company faced in the projects: late arrival of materials, workers' movement limitations, supply issues, as well as legal and social issues that necessitated the involvement of regional authorities.
Anis also expressed confidence that the completion of the electricity infrastructure projects will boost PLN's status as among the best electricity companies in Southeast Asia.
"Thanks to the resilient human resources and coordination with stakeholders in various sectors, we could complete our projects. We hope we can keep up our good work because we still have more to do next year," the general manager remarked.
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Translator: Aji Cakti, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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