PLN Says Electricity Tariffs Remain Unchanged until Year End

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State electricity company PLN president director Sofyan Basir said electricity tariffs will remain unchanged until year end. According to him, PLN’s financial situation is sustainable with current electricity tariffs until the end of 2017.

"That would be for all category," Sofyan told reporters after an Eid celebration event held by State-Owned Enterprise Minister Rini Soemarno today, June 25, in Jakarta.

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With current electricity tariffs, PLN predicts lower profit by Rp 1.9 trillion. "But, if the ICP [Indonesian Crude Price] and coal price fall, it will break even again. So we will not make monthly adjustments. Who knows if they might fall again," Sofyan said.

As of the end of last year, PLN posted Rp10.5 trillion in profit. Despite projected decline this year, according to Sofyan, PLN still profits. "Let’s we net Rp10 trillion in profit. Less Rp600 billion. It means we suffer no loss. We still profit on aggregate."

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Earlier, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan said that electricity basic tariff (TDL) will remain unchanged from July 1 to the end of December.

Jonan even urged the PLN to be more efficient for lower electricity tariff considering the decline in ICP and coal prices. “The government listens to people’s input,” he said.

ANGELINA ANJAR SAWITRI