TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The free power upgrade program launched by PT PLN (Persero) has resulted in an increase in power consumption. Operations director of PT PLN in Java-Bali, Ngurah Adnyana, said that in the first half of 2012, electricity sales had increased 10.2 percent. "The growth in electricity consumption is mainly driven by domestic consumers whose consumption increased 11.8 percent," said Adnyana in a breaking fast event at the PLN’s head office in Jakarta on Monday. He explained that the highest growth of electricity consumption was in the household customer group, with 1300 VA due to a free upgrade program. Although consumption growth has been predominately driven by domestic consumers, there are some areas where industrial consumption growth has outstripped household growth. He said that in East Java, with average growth in electricity consumption at 11.5 percent, industrial electricity consumption had risen 14 percent. "It highlights the economic growth in East Java," said Adnyana. Director of PLN operations in West Indonesia Herry Jaya Pahlawan said that industrial consumption growth was also higher in North Sumatra. President director of PT PLN, Nur Pamudji said that industrial electricity consumption growth also showed relatively positive signals. "Although subscriber numbers only grew 4.4 percent, consumption grew 9.4 percent. It's pretty good," said Pamudji. As of the end of June 2012 the number of PLN subscribers reached 47.5 million, 6 million of which are prepaid customers. "Today we are the country with the largest number of prepaid electricity users in the world," said Pamudji. BERNADETTE CHRISTINA