Fixed Electricity Rates, Not So Rising

Fixed Electricity Rates, Not So Rising

The government canceled the planned increase in electricity tariffs for the 900 VA class for Able Households which would initially be implemented next year. The cancellation of the planned increase in electricity tariffs was done by considering the economic stability and purchasing power of the people.
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 "Not yet (there has been an increase). We must maintain stability first, "ESDM Minister Arifin Tasrif said, quoted from the setkab page, Sunday (29/12). Arifin said that the plan to adjust the electricity price was considered not necessary even though PT PLN was submitting an application for adjustment to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
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The government, he said, asked PLN to verify the data of 900VA customers in advance accurately so that the policy would increase tariffs on target. "We are still doing more detailed data collection so that we don't miss the target. Until PLN prepares with the data. We have to go through many of these (institutions), "Arifin said.
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Later, PLN customer data collection will be adjusted to the data held by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) regarding the number of Able Household customers. According to PLN data as of 31 October 2019, the number of 900VA - RTM customers was 22.1 million.
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Whereas in 2020, the number of customers is projected to be 24.4 million. The electricity tariff for the self-subsidized 900 VA RTM group is Rp 1,352 per kilo Watt hour (kWh) with 24.4 million subscribers.
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Meanwhile, non-subsidized tariffs (tariff adjustments), 1,300 VA to 6,600 VA and above, are set at Rp 1,467.28 per kWh. Even so, this cancellation policy will not provide additional electricity subsidies so as not to burden the 2020 State Budget and Expenditure (APBN).
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Arifin also encouraged PLN to be able to improve efficiency, one of which was by reducing the consumption of fuel oil (BBM) in its power plants.
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"There is still much that can be saved. We aim to immediately convert to cheap energy. That way it can be more efficient, "Arifin said.