The generator was flown from Banda Aceh using a Sikorsky S-61A helicopter on Saturday (Dec. 6), in coordination with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI).
Speaking in Jakarta on Sunday, PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo said the operation demonstrates PLN’s commitment and the government’s swift response in ensuring continuity of post-disaster healthcare services, particularly the electricity supply needed by hospitals as essential public facilities.
“This effort follows the directive from Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, who emphasized that the healthcare sector must receive energy priority so medical operations can continue. For us, this is not merely a technical task but a humanitarian responsibility to the public,” Prasodjo said.
Meanwhile, Eddi Saputra, General Manager of PLN’s Aceh Distribution Unit, said air transport was the only feasible solution to ensure timely delivery of the generator, as all land routes to RSUD Datu Beru had been cut off.
“Airlifting was the only option to deliver the generator quickly because every access road to the hospital was severed and impassable due to the disaster. With helicopter support, the delivery took about 45 minutes,” Saputra explained.
He noted that the aerial mobilization required high precision. The 3.6-ton equipment - consisting of a 2.6-ton generator and a 1-ton trailer - could not be lifted on the first attempt, but the second attempt succeeded after load adjustments and repositioning of the lifting points.
Upon arrival, PLN technicians immediately began installation and testing to ensure the generator could operate as a temporary power source.
Central Aceh District Regent Haili Yoga stressed that such efforts are essential to maintaining critical public services, including hospital operations, during the crisis.
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Translator: Arnidhya Nur, Kuntum Khaira
Editor: Primayanti
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