Electricity lights up Alor villages<\/p>\n
P.J. Leo, The Jakarta Post, Alor, East Nusa Tenggara<\/p>\n
Remote and backward was the character formerly of villages in
\nAlor regency, which sprawled through hills or deep inside the
\nisland, far away from busy, city life. By sunset there was
\nnothing but darkness.<\/p>\n
Today, when the sun sets, one by one, light radiates from
\nhouses. The light has cast away darkness from the area.<\/p>\n
People can now stay up late to continue their activities,
\nincluding children, who can continue studying until late at night
\nwith brighter lighting. No more sore eyes!<\/p>\n
This is unlike the past, when Alor people lived in darkness,
\nliterally in the dark, because electricity -- claimed to be one
\nof the indicators of modern civilization -- could not reach the
\narea. Geographical and topographical problems were the main
\nobstacles to installing electricity.<\/p>\n
Alor, in East Nusa Tenggara province, is a regency that is a
\ncluster of islands. There are 15 islands, nine of which are
\ninhabited, with the remaining six devoid of human population.<\/p>\n
Now, far from the typical city hustle and bustle, people in
\nAlor can enjoy electricity in their daily lives.<\/p>\n
Previously, only 110 villages in South Alor district could
\nenjoy the facility. Eight other districts in the regency had to
\nlive in the dark.<\/p>\n
\"Due to the geographical and topographical problems, our
\npeople could not afford to install electricity, which is
\nstandardized at 1,300 watts per household installation,\" said
\nAlor Regent Ansgerius Takalapeta.<\/p>\n
To overcome the situation, the local administration launched
\nthe rural electricity program on April 25. The program involves
\nthe generation of electricity from solar, hydro, microdiesel and
\ndynamo power sources. It has been jointly developed with state-
\nowned electricity company PLN.<\/p>\n
\"An indicator of our backwardness is that we don't have
\nelectricity throughout our territory. That's why we have launched
\nthis program and chose to use solar-powered electricity,\"
\nAnsgerius said.<\/p>\n
The program was officially launched by State Minister of the
\nAcceleration of Development in Eastern Indonesia Manuel Kaisiepo.<\/p>\n
\"Night blackouts are the cause or problem in our territory's
\nlack of development,\" Ansgerius said, stressing the urgent need
\nfor electricity to be installed in all parts of his regency.<\/p>\n
Up in the hills, far from city life, locals could barely
\nconceal their excitement when Kaisiepo went to Maleipea village,
\nSouth Alor. He was also the first high-ranking state official
\never to have visited the village.<\/p>\n
As many as 120 solar-powered electricity installations have
\nbeen established in the village. Although they could only
\ngenerate 50 volt electricity, locals warmly welcomed the
\nbreakthrough.<\/p>\n
Solar-powered electricity is simple to harness. The sun's
\nenergy is absorbed by a device installed in the open air. The
\nenergy is then channeled into the battery charger unit, which
\nserves to regulate and transform the solar energy into electrical
\nenergy, which is then ready to use.<\/p>\n
\"I like the idea of having this kind of electricity installed
\nin my village, even though it still has a low voltage, because my
\nchildren can now study at night. It's also safer than electricity
\ngenerated from other sources,\" resident Arnold remarked.<\/p>\n
With such a low voltage, the electricity only lasted for a few
\nhours before the lights gradually dimmed and darkness again
\nblanketed the village.<\/p>\n
Several youths in the village, however, wanted PLN to put in
\nconventional electricity installations, which would provide a
\npermanent supply.<\/p>\n
\"We would use it as much as possible. We could watch
\ntelevision and see the news from many places,\" said one of the
\nyouths, Yacob.<\/p>",
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