Gov’t Continues to Provide Electricity Subsidy to 450 VA Customers

President Jokowi in his press statement after inaugurating Cibitung–Cilincing toll road, Tuesday (09/20), Bekasi, West Java. (Photo by: PR/Teguh)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Tuesday (09/20) announced that the Government will not cancel electricity subsidy for 450 Volt Ampere (VA) category consumers.

The Government also will not change the category of those consumers, he added.

“We never talk about it,” President Jokowi told the press after inaugurating the Cibitung-Cilincing toll road at Gabus toll gate in Bekasi regency, West Java province.

According to the President, the Government still provides subsidies for 450 VA customers.

“Do not make the public concerned because of the statement,” he said.

In the meantime, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif stated that the issue is considered inappropriate this time.

As quoted from the Ministry’s official website on Tuesday (09/20), Arifin said that if the people shift to the category above 450 VA, customers will use more electricity and pay with a different price since the 900 VA’s price is higher.

For the record, state-owned electricity Company PT PLN has made adjustment to electricity price for non-subsidized household customers of 3,500 VA and above through Letter of Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Number T-162/TL.04/MEM.L/2022 dated June 2, 2022 on Adjustment of Electricity Price (July–September 2022 period).

In addition, as quoted from PLN’s press statement, household customers with power supplies below 3,500 VA, business and industry are excluded from the price adjustment. (DND/UN) (GWH/EP)