VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo inaugurated the operation of the first phase of the 1x660 MW Cilacap Steam Power Plant (PLTU). The inauguration took place in Kesugihan District, Cilacap Regency, Central Java, on Monday, February 25, 2019.

The president said that the ​​38.28 hectare power plant would later be able to supply additional electricity for industries and households in Java.

"I really appreciate the steam power plant in Cilacap. This large, 660 MW, thus increasing supply, especially in Java both for industry and shortages in households," he said.

The issue of meeting electricity needs has indeed been one of the government's focuses over the past few years. The president said, four years ago, a shortage of electricity supply was usually experienced by regions in eastern Indonesia and a number of other remote areas.

"If you see in eastern Indonesia, in remote islands, in our remote villages, there are still many electricity that have not been available for four years," he said.

However, the government seeks to meet the demand for electricity throughout the country. Based on data received by the President, currently the national electrification ratio has reached 98.2 percent. This means that, unlike four years ago, more and more households have now enjoyed electricity connections.

"The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources has promised that at the end of this year, 99.9 percent all households in this country must have electricity," the President said.

To note, the Cilacap PLTU Expansion which was inaugurated by the President consists of two stages. The first phase with a capacity of 1x660 MW was completed and the President has inaugurated it and was expected to be able to serve additional new customers of up to 682,000 customers from household groups.

While for the second stage, the construction is expected to be completed sooner than the target. The construction of the second phase of the Cilacap power plant with a capacity of 1x1,000 MW will be completed by the end of 2019.

"There is still 1,000 MW remaining which will also be completed later this year. The Managing Director has told me that this seems to be able to progress in one year. It should be 2020 but maybe God willing, we can finish it later this year," said the President.

With an additional 1x1,000 MW the government through the State Electricity Company (PLN) will be able to provide more electricity supply to the people of Indonesia.

Also present accompanying the President were Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Ignasius Jonan, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Rini Soemarno, Minister of State Pratikno, Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning / Head of BPN Sofyan Djalil, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, and Cilacap Regent Tatto Suwarto Pamuji .(Release Biro Pers)