Indonesian electricity company PT PLN (Persero) has announced that they have succeeded in electrifying 76,900 villages and sub-districts throughout Indonesia as a commitment to realising equitable electricity, especially in 3T (disadvantaged, frontier, outermost) areas.

PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo explained that PLN is a State-Owned Enterprise (BUMN) which is mandated with national electricity, adding that his party will continue to strive to support equal distribution of electricity as a basic need for society.

“Electricity is currently a primary need for society… Therefore, together with the Government, we will continue to promote equal distribution of electricity to 3T areas in accordance with the realisation of the fifth principle of Pancasila, to improve the welfare and quality of life of the Indonesian people,” said Darmawan.

Darmawan said that out of 83,637 villages and sub-districts that have electricity nationally, 76,900 of them are lit by PLN electricity through the village electricity programme (LISDES). Meanwhile, the remainder comes from non-PLN electricity in 3,885 villages and energy-saving solar lamps (LTSHE) in 2,852 villages – bringing the national electrified village ratio (RDB) to 99.85% in 2023.

“Electricity is the heart of the Indonesian economy, and for this reason we are committed to continuing to increase the ratio of villages with electricity and the electrification ratio,” said Darmawan. “Armed with the digital transformation that we have successfully carried out, in 2024 we are sure it will be even more significant. This is how we can actually realise the fifth principle of Pancasila in a real form, namely in light throughout the country.”

Darmawan said that promoting the LISDES programme is also in line with national steps to achieve a 100% Electrification Ratio. Through the New Electricity Installation Assistance (BPBL) programme, PLN is also working together with the Indonesian government to equalise community access to electricity.

The BPBL programme is a new electricity installation assistance programme for underprivileged households, including the installation of electricity installations, the cost of certification for proper operation (SLO), the costs of new connections to PLN and even topping up the initial electricity token.

“To be able to complete this mandate is not an easy thing,” remarked Darmawan. “Various distance obstacles, weather, extreme topography are challenges that do not make PLN afraid to provide access to electricity to the entire community.”

Throughout 2023, PLN has succeeded in implementing this programme for 131,600 households or exceeding the target of 125 thousand households. BPBL recipients are households registered in the Ministry of Social Affairs’ Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS) domiciled in the 3T area, and/or based on validation from village/subdistrict heads or officials of the same level as eligible to receive BPBL.