VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry has installed 1,200 solar street lights in the districts of Gresik, Lamongan, Tuban and Bojonegoro, East Java Province.  Head of the Special Task Force for Upstream Oil and Gas Business Activities (SKK Migas) Dwi Sutjipto officially handed over the solar street lights in Gresik on Sunday. 

"Issues on infrastructure for the public have become the government`s main concern. Hence, we install the solar street lights to improve people's welfare," Dwi said.

Lamongan District received 450 units of solar street light, while Tuban and Bojonegoro Districts got 300 units each, and 150 others were given to Gresik.

"This would become a solution for the regions that have yet to enjoy electricity from PLN (state electricity firm), or those who want to reduce electricity consumption in their regions," he noted.

The installment of solar street lights has been part of the government's policy to transform the use of energy from conventional to renewable energy.. The local governments were expected to maintain the safety of infrastructure facilities, Dwi said.

The government, under the program, has targeted to provide street lighting in 26 provinces across the country. In East Java alone, throughout 2018, the ministry had installed the solar street lights in 3,288 locations.

"We have set a budget allocation of some Rp416 billion for the installment of solar street lights in 21,864 locations," he added.

From 2015 to 2018, the ministry had installed some 33 thousand solar street lights in provinces and districts. The use of solar panel would reduce pollution and cut consumption of electricity mainly sourced from fossil fuel. It could also be installed in regions that have yet to be reached by PLN. (ant)