PLN Illuminates the Villages in Mimika Papua

The State Electricity Company (PLN) has successfully electrified five villages in the Amar District and the Far West Mimika District, Mimika Regency as a Christmas gift for the community. After it was dark before, the villages of Ipiri, Paripim, Yaraya, Aindua and Tapormai can now be lit up 24 hours a day.

Using three solar power plants (PLTS) with a total capacity of 180 kWp, currently PLN has served 392 customers in the five villages. Each power plant is PLTS Ipaya with a capacity of 110 kWp (to electrify the villages of Ipiri, Paripi and Yaraya), PLTS Aindua with a capacity of 40 kWp and PLTS Tapormai with a capacity of 30 kWp.

Deputy Regent of Mimika, Johannes Rettob in his speech expressed his appreciation for PLN for its efforts to electrify villages in Amar District and Mimika Barat Far District. “I am happy and excited because since we were little we used to live in the dark. Now people are enjoying electricity,” said Johannes.

Meanwhile, the Manager of the PLN Customer Service Implementation Unit (UP3) Timika, Martinus Irianto Pasensi, explained the reasons for using PLTS as a generator to electrify the villages. "We see that there is solar potential that can be maximized. This is also a form of our commitment to illuminate villages that do not have electricity using new and renewable energy-based plants as a priority. So this can increase the NRE mix," he said.

Until now, the total power requirement in the 5 villages has reached 40 kW. In the future, it is estimated that there is still the potential for additional 400 customers to maximize the power generated by this environmentally friendly plant.

PLN will start the work of electrifying 5 villages in these two districts in 2020 and will finish in December 2021. In the process, the Regional Government is very supportive of PLN's efforts, one of which is by covering the cost of connecting electricity to 392 customers.

"Thank you to the Mimika Regency Government for the synergy and support given so far, so that the work process can run smoothly and the community finally enjoys the electricity that they have been waiting for all this time," said Martinus.

Martinus added that his party hopes that they can work together with the community to maintain the existing electricity network and facilities so that the electricity supply for customers can continue to be reliable. “Praise God at this time most of the people have become our customers. Hopefully, with 24 hours a day electricity service here, it can encourage economic improvement and people's education," concluded Martinus.

PLN continues to be committed to electrifying all villages in Papua and West Papua. Until now, a total of 95.94% of the existing villages have been cleared. In addition, according to the government's mandate to illuminate villages without electricity, PLN continues to prioritize the development of environmentally friendly power plants based on EBT.

SOURCE: https://indonesiatimur.id/2021/12/30/pln-terangi-desa-desa-di-mimika-papua/