TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - State-owned electricity company PLN of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) builds an infrastructure to supply electricity for Gili Gede Island in West Lombok. It will be connected to the electricity system in Lombok using 20-kilovolt sea cable with the 2x2.4 kilometer length.

PLN NTB General Manager Mukhtar claimed his office had difficulties in supplying electricity to the region due to difficult terrain and limited transportation. "PLN must work harder to electrify 450 families houses in the island," Mukhtar said in a written statement on Thursday, February 22.

Mukhtar explained, to transport electrical equipment to Gili Gede, PLN used a simple boat dragged by a wooden boat. All equipment, such as cable reels, transformers, and poles, were loaded to the boat manually or by cart.

Read: Jokowi Asks PLN to Accelerate Electrification in East Indonesia

He revealed that the loading and construction process took a long time since the weather often changes. As when arriving at Gili Gede, the equipment from the dock were carried by using a cart or carrying them together since cars are not available. Mukhtar said the installation officers also set up backup cables to switch the power supply if a sudden interruption occurs.

"We will connect two cables at once, one of which as a reserve, so that if there is any disruption in the electricity distribution, we can supply it," he added.

Mukhtar said Gili Gede residents have been using generators to meet the electricity needs even though this island has big potential in fisheries and tourism. Most citizens of Gili Gede are fishermen and fish farmers, while some of them open a homestay service for tourists.

"The (PLN) electricity supply hopefully will increase people's economy in Gili Gede," said Mukhtar.

Budiarti Utami Putri