“Once the Brandan–Langsa emergency tower is finished, Banda Aceh will be reconnected to the Sumatra backbone. We are targeting completion on Sunday,” said Rudy Sufahriadi, head of the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry’s disaster response team.
As of December 11, electricity recovery has reached 36 percent in Aceh, 99.8 percent in North Sumatra after a series of landslides, and full restoration in West Sumatra since December 5.
Sufahriadi said Aceh remains the hardest-hit region and still requires extensive support. PLN, the state utility operator, needs help clearing blocked access roads to move equipment and securing fuel for field operations.
“Generator availability is still very limited in Aceh Tamiang and Bener Meriah,” he added.
He reported solid progress on emergency transmission repairs: the Bireuen–Peusangan SUTT tower was completed on December 7, followed by the Bireuen–Arun SUTT on December 8. The Brandan–Langsa SUTT remains under construction at 67 percent.
Related news: Electricity partly restored in flood-hit western Sumatra: Ministry
A 50 MW diesel power plant is also being installed to stabilize supply in Banda Aceh. A separate 10 MW Lueng Bata diesel unit has arrived on site and is being assembled, with commissioning targeted for December 12.
He said these emergency units are temporary measures until the permanent network is fully restored.
Sufahriadi stressed that healthcare facilities remain a priority in the recovery plan.
Several hospitals in affected districts are now connected to PLN’s 20 kV network, allowing essential medical services to operate without relying solely on generators.
Still, he acknowledged major challenges on the ground, including damaged roads, limited fuel deliveries, and poor weather slowing the movement of materials.
Despite setbacks, he said the government and PLN remain committed to accelerating repairs until full electricity service is restored across all affected communities.
Related news: PLN airlifts generator to maintain hospital services in Central Aceh
Translator: Putu Indah S, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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