Jokowi-JK Guarantees 99% of Electrification Ratio

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Joko Widodo-Jusuf Kalla government claimed that they can realize electrification ratio up to 99 percent from the total population of Indonesia. The statement was made during a meeting at Vice President Office on Monday.

According to PT PLN president director Nur Pamudji, the 99-percent electrification ration can be achieved in five years. “National electrification ratio has risen from 62 to 85 percent,” said Pamudji.

In the meeting, Kalla asked national electrification ratio to be achieved at three percent every year so that in five years, the government can achieve additional 15 percent.

Pamudji said several region in Indonesia are still far below the national ratio average. In Riau East Coast and Gorontalo, there are areas with electrification ratio of only 40 percent. “This ratio is developed consistently with road development. Electricity network follows road network,” he said.

The government has a target to build power plants with total power of 35,000 megawatt. One of the supporting programs is hydro power plant (PLTA) construction at Jati Gede Reservoir, West Java. Pamujdi said PLN already has contractors.

On relocation and lands, they have been through license processing. Pamudji claimed Forestry and Environment Minister Siti Nurbaya and Agrarian and Agrarian and Spatial Planning Minister Ferry Mursyidan are ready to help in accelerating licensing process and land acquisition.

FRANSISCO ROSARIANS