...it will have an impact on the economy in North Sulawesi.
Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi (ANTARA) - The construction of a 150-kiloVolt (kV) high-voltage overhead power line (SUTT) transmission network to support the Likupang super-priority tourism destination (DPSP), North Sulawesi Province, has reached 58.54 percent.

Manager of the North Sulawesi Project Implementation Unit (UPP Sulut) of state-run electricity provider PT PLN (Persero), Ndaru Seto Widiatmoko, informed that currently, his party is focusing on completing the construction of the transmission network, which will stretch from Likupang, North Minahasa District, to Paniki, Manado City.

"Currently, PLN is building the 150-kV Likupang-Paniki SUTT transmission network, which spans 29.57 circuit kilometers (km), with a total of 88 tower units, which are expected to be operational by the end of 2022," he said in a press release received here on Friday.

The infrastructure is being built to improve the reliability of the existing electricity network in the North Sulawesi area, especially in Manado City and North Minahasa District, he added.

Furthermore, considering that tourism activities in the Likupang DPSP area have continued to increase, the state-owned company has committed to providing reliable electricity supply in collaboration with all stakeholders, including the local community.

Deputy Governor of North Sulawesi, Steven Kandouw, said that his administration fully supports PLN’s efforts to complete the electricity infrastructure development.

The establishment of the infrastructure will encourage the local economy, especially through tourism activities in Likupang DPSP, he added.

"The availability of reliable electricity will greatly support the development of the Likupang DPSP; (thus,) it will have an impact on the economy in North Sulawesi," he added.

Earlier, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Sandiaga Uno had highlighted that Likupang DPSP has interesting tourism potential, given its natural beauty and culture, as well as various creative economy activities in the culinary, music, and craft sectors.

The Indonesian government has determined five tourism attractions as DPSPs.

Besides Likupang, the other locations are Borobudur Temple in Central Java province, Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara province, Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara province, and Toba Lake in North Sumatra province.

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Translator: Abdul Senong, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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