Jayapura, Jubi – General Manager of Papua and West Papua Unit of State-owned electricity company PLN Budiono revealed there were still at least 199 villages in Papua and West Papua untouched by electricity to date. These villages are to be directed to use new and renewable energy utilizing rivers and solar power.
In the Multi-Stakeholder Forum discussion “Socialization of SMAP Awareness for Stakeholders of PLN” on Friday, October 21, 2022, Budiono said PLN currently covered 181 villages in Papua and 18 villages in West Papua.
“Some of our brothers and sisters in 199 villages in Papua and West Papua have yet to enjoy electricity,” said Budiono.
Budiono said that infrastructure such as road access, as well as security conditions, are the challenges to providing electricity to these villages. For example, to reach 78 villages in Papua and 12 villages in West Papua, the company needs transportation support from the Indonesian Military (TNI).
“Those areas that have not been electrified cannot be reached by land, while PLN’s equipment is quite large, such as poles, transformers, and plants. All of them must be carried by helicopter or plane. That is what causes a delay in providing electricity services in Papua and West Papua,” he said.
PLN needs support, synergy, and collaboration from all parties to build and provide electricity to people in all villages in Papua and West Papua.
“We cannot do this alone, we need your support. Let us together work towards a bright Papua and West Papua,” he said. (*)
