Gov’t to Provide 1.2 Million Free Electricity Connections This Year

President Jokowi inspects Free Electricity Connection Program in Muara Gembong District, Bekasi, West Java, Wednesday (30/1). (Photo by: Jay/Public Relations).

Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has announced it will provide 1.2 million free electricity connections for low-income households who do not have not yet access to electricity.

“The Government will allocate approximately Rp6 trillion to implement free electricity connections (program) this year,” Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Ignasius Jonan said in Jakarta, Monday (11/2).

The number of free connections, Jonan continued, is likely to increase due to additional financing from the Ministry’s budget and assistance from the corporate social responsibility of state-owned enterprises. “Mrs. Rini (Minister of State-owned Enterprises) has agreed on that,” Jonan said.

The state-owned enterprises involved in this program are PLN (state electricity company), Bulog (state logistic agency), Jamkrindo (state loan collateral provider), Pegadaian (state pawnshop), Semen Indonesia (state cement producer), Dahana (state mining service company), Perhutani (state forestry company), BRI, Mandiri, BTN, and BNI (state bank), Pindad (state weapon manufacturer), Telkom & Telkomsel (state telecommunication company), Airnav (state aviation navigation service operator), Askrindo (state credit insurance agency), Pembangunan Perumahan, Waskita, Wijaya Karya, and Hutama Karya (state construction company), PTPN (state plantation firm), Jasa Marga (state toll road operators), Jasa Raharja (state travel insurance company), Jasindo (state insurance firm), Biofarma (state pharmaceutical company), KAI (state railway company), Pertamina and PGN (state-owned oil and gas company), Angkasa Pura (state airport operator), Pelindo (state port operator), PIHC (state fertilizer producer), Antam (state mining company), Taspen (state pension insurance company), ASDP (state ferry operator), and Pos Indonesia (state postal company).

The free electricity program is expected to be basic services provided by the Government for the people and can contribute to increasing national electrification ratio targeted at 99.9 percent in 2019.

“I am optimistic that it can be achieved,” Jonan concluded. (Humas Kementerian ESDM/ES)

Translated by: Galuh Wicaksono

Edited by: Muhammad Ersan Pamungkas