PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) or the National Electrical Company noted that currently 7,036 villages in Papua and West Papua have received electricity.
That was with an electrified village ratio of 95.62 percent so far. PLN continues to accelerate to electrify these villages until the ratio of electrified villages reaches 100 percent.
It comes in accordance with the government assignments. This information was said by Syamsul Huda as a regional Business Director of Sulawesi, Maluku, Papua, and Nusa Tenggara.
That company continues to strive for 328 villages in Papua and West Papua to immediately get electricity. The plan is that 32 villages use Solar Power Plants (PLTS) in the future.
While 285 villages will also utilize solar electricity through the Electric Charging Stations (SPEL) and Electric Power Distribution Devices (APDAL). These areas are in locations that are difficult to reach.
Besides that, these are also far from the existing networks. That is why; using the natural resources, such as the solar system, is an effective solution to do.
One of the ways to Support the Government
The remaining nine countrysides will be electrified through the expansion of existing power grids and two others using The diesel power plants (PLTD) hybrid PLTS by utilizing existing engines.
PLN seeks to deliver the electricity to remote villages in these provinces by utilizing solar energy. As a national company, there is an aim that needs to reach.
The utilization of solar energy is an effort to support the acceleration of the new renewable energy mix targeted by the government by 23 percent by 2025. That was said by Huda.
Solar power plants that rely on solar radiation become an alternative to electrifying areas that are difficult to reach by land transportation. That is making it suitable for remote areas.
Throughout 2016 to 2020, PLN has electricity to 807 villages enjoyed by nearly 38 thousand customers in West Papua and around it. That can support the public’s activities.
The investment value disbursed by this company to illuminate 807 countrysides reached Rp2.03 trillion or equivalent to Rp53.6 million to electrify every customer in the two provinces.
In addition to focusing on electrifying remote areas, PLN has also strengthened the electricity system for these region’s. The huge budget is distributed to make sure that this project is going well.
155 Megawatts are Ready to be Maximized in the West Papua and around
The power of the two provinces has now reached 454 megawatts with a peak load of 299 megawatts. With existing conditions, PLN has a power reserve of 155 megawatts that is ready to be maximized.
Huda invites the investors to enter and invest in these provinces . It guarantees the availability of power supplies from the plant and the strengthening of the grid to generate electricity.
According to him, the capacity developed is not only enough, but also reliable for customers. “
They are committed to continuing to provide the excellent and reliable service. This is considering the availability of electricity is one of the important points in business and industry.
That is not only for the West Papua, but also the other places in Indonesia. However, it cannot be denied that now Papua is the major plan for the national government.
Before, President Joko Widodo inaugurated six electrical infrastructures in these two provinces too . The infrastructure includes two new renewable energy-based power plants.
The good things are that they are environmentally friendly. The overall value of the project reached the IDR 989 billion.
With the operation of these six electrical infrastructures, PLN is able to save fuel oil (BBM) up to IDR 161 billion per year. That is another benefit of this project.
The Details of the Energy Infrastructure in the West Papua
Based on the data and information, this project is done with some details to ensure that it will be beneficial for the people. Here are those details which can be noted.
- Proper transmission system
The reliability of electricity in these places is getting better because it is supported by a transmission system of 70 kV and Substation 20 MVA. Where SUTT 70 kV and Substation is the first GI and the first SUTT 70 kV there.
The inauguration of six papua and West Papua electricity infrastructure was carried out in GI Waena, Kampung Harapan, Sentani.
In the inauguration, the President was accompanied by SOE Minister Rini Soemarno and the Provincial Governor Lucas Enembe. Some points were informed from that moment.
- Challenges faced from the geographical aspect
This province has a hilly topography and minimal accessibility. Those become a challenge for PLN at the time of the infrastructure development. However, it could be solved properly.
Thanks to all the hard work and assistance from all stakeholders, the community and local government SUTT 70 kV from Orya genyem-Waena-Jayapura and SUTT 70 kV Holtekam-Jayapura.
They have successfully completed the wor. It means that now West Papua is a step further and better to reach the good future.
