Banten Provincial Government Reveals Damaged Solar Plant on Tunda Island to be Replaced by New PLN Facility in 2027

Following our collective efforts, PLN will enter Tunda Island. The budget is included in this revised state budget. Hopefully, this revised state budget can be approved, and then a solar power plant managed by PT PLN can be built,” said the Head of the Energy and Mineral Resources Office of Banten Province, Ari James Faraddy, on Wednesday (13/5/2026). PT PLN will install a 150 kWp solar power plant on Tunda Island. PLN itself will manage the plant. “So, the people of Tunda Island will receive electricity access from PT PLN,” he said. He stated that construction is likely to take place in 2027. For now, the government will assist with access to diesel fuel for the operations of the diesel power plant on Tunda Island. “If the budget is realised, construction will be carried out in 2027. For the short term, the people of Tunda Island need diesel. We are currently working to obtain permission from BPH Migas for this diesel,” he said. Ari James mentioned that the Banten Provincial Government, together with the Serang Regency Government, is communicating with BPH Migas to facilitate the availability of diesel on Tunda Island. “A recommendation letter is needed. Because this is not a general service, but general lighting. That is discretionary. Yesterday, we also connected with BPH Migas, and we are scheduling a meeting with the Regent of Serang. There will be further information on what happens next,” he said. Meanwhile, the Deputy Regent of Serang, Najib Hamas, said that the Serang Regency Government is also exploring cooperation with PT Metta Energi Sejahtera to build an independent solar power plant. The regency has already signed an MoU with PT Metta. “Serang is exploring the potential for CSR for building solar power facilities on Tunda Island. Currently, it is still in the location exploration stage,” he said. The solar power plant has been complained about as damaged. Previously, the solar power plant on Tunda Island was reported as damaged. As a result, the island’s residents’ electricity is unstable because it only relies on a diesel power plant (PLTD). Tunda Island resident Mamat (43) stated that dependence on the PLTD makes the electricity supply often unstable. Electricity depends on the availability of diesel, which is the main fuel. “If the electricity goes out, the tower also goes out. Residents have trouble with signal and internet,” said Mamat to reporters on Saturday (9/5/2026). He explained that under normal conditions, electricity usually turns on from 6:00 PM WIB until 6:00 AM. However, lately, the lighting schedule often changes due to engine disruptions and limited diesel stocks. “Sometimes it turns off at 11 PM. Once, it turned on briefly after Maghrib, then went out again due to trouble,” he said. Although electricity is often unstable, Tunda Island residents routinely pay daily electricity fees. The fee varies from Rp 5,500 to Rp 15,000 per night, depending on the use of electronic devices in each household. “Residents are enthusiastic about paying the electricity fees. The important thing is that the fees are used for maintenance and electricity needs,” he said. According to Mamat, the community still has high hopes for the improvement of the solar facilities that were previously used as an electricity source in the area. “The solar power is actually still good, but the batteries and installation are damaged. If repaired, the electricity can turn on again,” said Mamat. “Residents hope that the local and central government will soon give serious attention to the electricity issues on Tunda Island,” he added.