Electricity lights up Alor villages
Electricity lights up Alor villages
P.J. Leo, The Jakarta Post, Alor, East Nusa Tenggara
Remote and backward was the character formerly of villages in
Alor regency, which sprawled through hills or deep inside the
island, far away from busy, city life. By sunset there was
nothing but darkness.
Today, when the sun sets, one by one, light radiates from
houses. The light has cast away darkness from the area.
People can now stay up late to continue their activities,
including children, who can continue studying until late at night
with brighter lighting. No more sore eyes!
This is unlike the past, when Alor people lived in darkness,
literally in the dark, because electricity -- claimed to be one
of the indicators of modern civilization -- could not reach the
area. Geographical and topographical problems were the main
obstacles to installing electricity.
Alor, in East Nusa Tenggara province, is a regency that is a
cluster of islands. There are 15 islands, nine of which are
inhabited, with the remaining six devoid of human population.
Now, far from the typical city hustle and bustle, people in
Alor can enjoy electricity in their daily lives.
Previously, only 110 villages in South Alor district could
enjoy the facility. Eight other districts in the regency had to
live in the dark.
"Due to the geographical and topographical problems, our
people could not afford to install electricity, which is
standardized at 1,300 watts per household installation," said
Alor Regent Ansgerius Takalapeta.
To overcome the situation, the local administration launched
the rural electricity program on April 25. The program involves
the generation of electricity from solar, hydro, microdiesel and
dynamo power sources. It has been jointly developed with state-
owned electricity company PLN.
"An indicator of our backwardness is that we don't have
electricity throughout our territory. That's why we have launched
this program and chose to use solar-powered electricity,"
Ansgerius said.
The program was officially launched by State Minister of the
Acceleration of Development in Eastern Indonesia Manuel Kaisiepo.
"Night blackouts are the cause or problem in our territory's
lack of development," Ansgerius said, stressing the urgent need
for electricity to be installed in all parts of his regency.
Up in the hills, far from city life, locals could barely
conceal their excitement when Kaisiepo went to Maleipea village,
South Alor. He was also the first high-ranking state official
ever to have visited the village.
As many as 120 solar-powered electricity installations have
been established in the village. Although they could only
generate 50 volt electricity, locals warmly welcomed the
breakthrough.
Solar-powered electricity is simple to harness. The sun's
energy is absorbed by a device installed in the open air. The
energy is then channeled into the battery charger unit, which
serves to regulate and transform the solar energy into electrical
energy, which is then ready to use.
"I like the idea of having this kind of electricity installed
in my village, even though it still has a low voltage, because my
children can now study at night. It's also safer than electricity
generated from other sources," resident Arnold remarked.
With such a low voltage, the electricity only lasted for a few
hours before the lights gradually dimmed and darkness again
blanketed the village.
Several youths in the village, however, wanted PLN to put in
conventional electricity installations, which would provide a
permanent supply.
"We would use it as much as possible. We could watch
television and see the news from many places," said one of the
youths, Yacob.