149 Families in Noemuke Village, NTT, Now Enjoy 24-Hour Electricity Supply

For years, residents of Noemuke village, South Amanuban sub-district, South Central Timor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) did not have access to electricity. However, since May 2026, through the Village Electrification Program (Lisdes), 149 families in Noemuke village have begun to enjoy a 24-hour electricity supply. The Lisdes program is a tangible manifestation of the state’s presence, bringing new hope to a region that has long been trapped in darkness. The light that was once only a dream is now present in every home, opening up new opportunities for residents to learn, work, develop their businesses, and carry out activities more comfortably.

Maria, a housewife in Noemuke, still remembers how every night she had to prepare oil lamps so that her children could study. “In the past, it would be dark at night, and the children would go to sleep quickly. Now, with the lights on, they can sit and study longer at the table. Their homework is done, and their eyes are no longer irritated by the smoke. Our whole family is very happy,” she said.

For Maria, electricity is not just about the lights being on. Its presence provides greater opportunities for children to learn comfortably and pursue their dreams.

The same hope is also growing in the community’s economic sector. Yohanes, the owner of a small grocery store in the village, is beginning to see business opportunities that were previously difficult to realize. “In the past, sales were limited, and goods would spoil quickly because there was no refrigerator. Now that there is electricity, I want to try buying a small refrigerator. This way, I can sell ice cubes and cold drinks to the residents of the village. I hope to increase my income,” he said.

For residents like Yohanes, electricity opens up new possibilities to develop businesses and increase family income without having to leave their hometown.

The Regent of South Central Timor, Eduard Markus Lioe, expressed his appreciation for the operation of the electricity network in Noemuke. “We understand that every region in South Central Timor has different geographical challenges. The construction of electricity is being carried out in stages according to technical capabilities and budget allocations. We hope that the electricity in Noemuke can help children learn better and residents start developing small businesses at home,” he said.

The President Director of PLN, Darmawan Prasodjo, affirmed that every household that successfully receives electricity in the remote corners of the country has a different story and hope. Therefore, the government’s efforts together with PLN to provide electricity to remote areas are not just about building electricity networks, but also about opening up access for communities to broader opportunities. “As a state-owned enterprise tasked with providing electricity, PLN is committed to continuing to provide access to electricity to the farthest corners of the country. The presence of electricity is the foundation for accelerating equitable development, driving the economy, creating jobs, and helping to alleviate poverty. Therefore, PLN continues to be committed to ensuring that there are no more communities living in darkness,” said Darmawan.

For PLN, the light that is now present in Noemuke is the result of collaboration between many parties. The central government, local government, community leaders, and local residents all played a role in ensuring that the construction of electrical infrastructure could run smoothly.

Meanwhile, the General Manager of PLN’s Nusa Tenggara Timur Regional Main Unit, F. Eko Sulistyono, said that efforts to provide electricity to remote villages would continue as part of PLN’s commitment to supporting regional development. Eko added that behind the lights that now shine in 149 homes, there is a long journey that is not always easy. The hilly terrain and limited access mean that the construction of electrical infrastructure must be carried out in stages, taking into account the conditions on the ground. To provide this electricity, PLN built a 1.03 km of Medium Voltage Network (MVN) and 4.9 km of Low Voltage Network (LVN), as well as a 50 kVA distribution substation. “Areas like Noemuke require technical readiness and time. With the infrastructure that has been built, we hope that this electricity can be used by residents to support various productive activities every day,” he said.

Now, when night falls in Noemuke, the scenery is no longer the same as before. From a village that was once familiar with darkness, Noemuke now looks to the future with greater hope. (RO/H-4)