TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is seeking to provide power to underdeveloped, frontier, and outermost (3T) areas by building centralized solar power plants (PLTS) in Maluku Province.

Head of Energy at the Energy and Mineral Resources Office of Maluku, Said Latupono, said on Saturday, August 24, 2024, that the centralized PLTS have a total capacity of 99 kilowatt-peak (kWp) and are currently in the process of being constructed using funding from the 2024 state budget.

He expounded that the centralized PLTS are being built in the Neila and Tiflean Villages of Tual City, which will cover 140 houses.

The network length will be 5,720 meters, with a potential PLTS area of 2,500 meters and a capacity of 39.6 kWp.

Furthermore, PLTS are also being built in Ujir Village of Aru Islands District, with a capacity of 59.4 kWp, which will cover 168 houses.

Latupono said that the construction of centralized PLTS in Maluku is being carried out under a government program to improve equal access to energy for the people.

"The government continues to be committed to providing equitable energy access for all people, especially in 3T areas that do not yet have electricity," he added.

Earlier, the government carried out centralized PLTS construction in Maluku from 2012 to 2023 by utilizing the state budget and Maluku's special allocation fund (DAK).

In 2023, PLTS were built in two villages, namely Kolaha and Waria, in Aru Islands District with a total capacity of 92.8 kWp.

He noted that PLTS construction is also being carried out by state-run electricity company PT PLN Persero, which has been tasked with providing electricity to the people, though the vast territory of Indonesia has proved a challenge in the task.

"The community must have access to electricity; they should not be left living in the dark. For that reason, the state is present by providing electricity, especially in 3T areas," he said.

ANTARA

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