VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

State-owned electricity company PT PLN is targeting to conduct electrification of 33 remote villages in East Kalimantan (Kaltim) this year.

The 33 villages comprise 10 villages each in West Kutai and Paser, eight villages in Berau, four villages in East Kutai, and one village in Mahakam Ulu, PLN's Sumatra and Kalimantan Regional Business Director, Wiluyo Kusdwiharto, stated here on Sunday.

"These will include 5,400 new customers," he remarked.

Of the 33 targets, 10 villages, or 1,924 new customers, already receive electricity supply since April 2021, he added.

For electricity connections in 10 villages, PLN has invested Rp61 billion, or Rp31 million, per customer, he noted.

"(The power supply networks for) 23 other villages are still under construction," he remarked.

Long distances and limited infrastructure are the main challenges being faced by PLN in installing its networks in remote villages.

Moreover, PLN is faced with the challenges of difficult terrains, such as in the remote areas of Mahakam Ulu.

Installing the network in such areas is also multiple times costlier than that in villages with already available infrastructure.

"However, those are the challenges. We will continue to strive to create equitable electricity access in all corners of Indonesia," Kusdwiharto emphasized.

The company has expedited electrification in remote regions to meet the 100-percent target by 2024.

Last April, PLN had provided electricity to 19 villages in Krayan Sub-district, Nunukan District, North Kalimantan (Kaltara), which shares border with Malaysia. (Antaranews)