Electricity Supply to 58 Villages in the Highlands of Papua is Blocked by Separatist Groups

PLN continues to strive to illuminate the Land of Papua through the Bright Papua Program. However, so far there are 58 villages in the mountainous region of Papua that have not been able to have electricity due to security disturbances from the Papuan Separatist and Terrorist Group (KST).

General Manager of PLN Main Unit for Papua and West Papua Region Abdul Farid explained that there are residents in Puncak, Puncak Jaya, Intan Jaya, and Nduga Districts who have not yet enjoyed ideal lighting.

“We have not been able to carry out a survey for the installation of electricity in 58 villages due to safety factors. The villages are located in the mountains of Papua," he said, Thursday, August 27, 2021.

According to him, KST Papua often acts in the area. During the last eight months, 9 security personnel and 13 residents died. Meanwhile, 17 security personnel and 3 residents were injured because they were shot by KST Papua members.

Meanwhile, there are 9 regencies in Papua and West Papua that have been able to enjoy electricity from PLN after decades of darkness. These 9 districts include Mappi, Asmat, Boven Digoel, Dogiyai, and Deiyai ​​in Papua. In addition, there are also in Kaimana, Tambrauw, Maybrat, and Fakfak in West Papua. These 9 districts were then amplified into 44 villages, both in the interior of Papua and West Papua.

“The information in a number of areas is a realization of the Bright Papua Program from the central government. Previously, people in dozens of villages lived in complete darkness at night,” he said.

Abdul also explained that the electricity facilities in the Bright Papua Program include a diesel power plant (PLTD) and a solar power plant (PLTS). On average, hundreds of these villages receive electricity services with a power capacity of 15 kilowatts (kW)-100 kW.

In addition to installing new installations, PLN has also increased the hours of electricity from 18 hours to 24 hours in Deiyai, Dogiyai, and Paniai this year. Meanwhile in Maybrat, two villages, namely Eway and Ayawasi, now have access to electricity for 24 hours.

“The installation of electricity and the increase in the clock is expected to have an impact on the electrification ratio there. We will continue to increase the coverage of Bright Papua until the end of this year," he said.

Based on data from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the total Electricity Village Ratio (RDB) of Papua Province currently reaches 95.09 percent of the total 5,521 villages. Meanwhile, in West Papua, it was 97.33 percent from 1,837 villages.

Installation of a medium-voltage network to supply electricity to Deiyai ​​Regency, Dogiyai Regency and Paniai Regency in mid-2021. PLN has prepared six generating machines with a total capacity of 3.6 megawatts for 6,342 customers in the three regions.

PLN's efforts have received appreciation from a member of the Papuan DPRP Commission IV for Infrastructure, Thomas Sondegau. He said the electrification ratio in Papua to more than 90 percent shows the results of President Joko Widodo's Nawacita policy to increase development in remote areas.

SOURCE: https://indonesiatimur.id/2021/08/28/pengaliran-listrik-58-desa-di-region-pegunungan-papua-tertangan-kumpul-separatis/