Sarmi, Papua — The government through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) continues to accelerate the equal distribution of electricity access in backward, advanced, and outermost areas (3T) as a strategic step in realizing national energy sustainability. This was confirmed by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia when visiting Berber Village, West Bonggo District, Sarmi Regency, Papua, on Friday (7/4/2012).
During the visit, Minister Bahlil directly reviewed the construction and ignition of village electricity (lisdes) by PT PLN (Persero), as well as ensuring that the electrification program was running as targeted. Bahlil is also committed to electricing 300 houses that are still not connected to electricity in Papua until the end of this year.
“We are here not just to formalize, but to ensure that our brothers and sisters in Papua get the same right to access energy. This year, we will connect 300 houses to electricity,” said Minister Bahlil in his statement.
On that occasion, Bahlil inaugurated four village electricity ignition points in Sarmi Regency, which include:
- Berber Village: Supplyed through the construction of a power distribution network in the form of a Medium Voltage Network (JTM) with a length of 2.35 kilometers of circuits, a Low Voltage Network (JTR) of 1.44 kilometers, and a 50 kVA Distribution Substation. Currently the electricity has been on 24 hours for 19 households.
- Samanente Village: Already lit through PLTS (Solar Power Plant) 40 kilowatt peak (kWp) with a total of 60 household customers.
- Konderjan Village: Using 20 kWp PLTS for 30 households.
- Nisro Village: Supply of 40 kWp PLTS with 15 prospective household customers.
The government emphasized that electrification is not only infrastructure development, but also part of President Prabowo Subianto’s great mission in realizing Asta Cita, which is to strengthen energy resilience and social justice.
“Electricity opens up new opportunities, revives the village economy, makes it easier for children to learn, and grows productivity centers in remote areas. This is not just about cables and poles, but about the future,” said Bahlil.
With the increasing electrification ratio in the Papua region, the government hopes that the community can feel the direct impact of the state’s presence in daily life, especially in strengthening the economic foundation and improving the quality of life of rural villagers.
