Minister Hidayat welcomed PLN`s decision to introduce the special tariff aimed at assisting industries to reduce production costs, citing the bulk of workload could be moved to the night shifts and provided workers with overtime facilities.
He added that PLN`s plan to introduce the special night rates between 11 pm and 7 am when the rates reduced 20 percent off the normal tariff is a good compromise to help industries in coping with the surging energy cost.
"So, don`t just increase the tariff because our industries are now struggling to boost up their competitiveness," said Minister Hidayat in a comment on the announcement made by PLN last Sunday on the introduction of the policy.
PLN has since January halted the long-implemented policy of giving special treatments to its subscribers of business and industry whereby any hike in tariff to them must not exceed 18 percent.
Industrial circles had protested the move, saying they were struggling with soaring energy costs to remain competitive.
In a separate occasion, Franky Sibarani, deputy general secretary of Indonesian Businessmen Association (Apindo) also welcomed PLN`s night tariff policy as there are many industries that may take advantage of the treatment.
"During those hours generally not many industries that operate, or operating 24 hours in full. Yet, this policy gives an advantage to industries that operating 24 hours, or those using much energy but not labor intensive," said Sibarani.
During 23.00 to 07.00 hours PLN will charge industrial user 550 rupiahs per kilowatt hour, a 20 percent off the normal tariff of 730 rupiahs per kilowatt hour. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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