From Coast to Hinterland, Light Reaches Remote Corners of East Kalimantan

For years, communities scattered along the coastline, deep within tropical forests, beside winding rivers, and atop karst hills in East Kalimantan have shared a distant hope: electricity. For many in these remote corners, darkness at night was simply a part of daily life, endured for decades. While some villages beyond the reach of the state electricity company (PLN) managed to generate power at night, this was only possible for residents who could afford generators or collectively purchase fuel. Even then, the electricity lasted only a few hours and was enjoyed by a small fraction of the community. Without a stable power supply, daily life moved slowly. Oil lamps remained the primary source of light, activities ceased at sunset, and opportunities for development were stifled by distance and difficult terrain. That is now changing. Gradually, the electricity grid is reaching these isolated areas, bringing not just light but also hope for a better future. The East Kalimantan Provincial Government, together with PLN’s East and North Kalimantan Distribution Unit (UID Kaltimra), has signed a strategic agreement under the Rural Electrification Programme. The clear target is to ensure all villages in East Kalimantan have access to electricity by the end of 2027. This is not merely a promise but a roadmap being actively implemented and accelerated to achieve equitable basic services for all citizens. PLN UID Kaltimra General Manager Muchamad Chaliq Fadli explained that the journey towards this target began in recent years. The successful completion of electricity network construction in 41 locations throughout 2025 serves as initial proof of this commitment. Efforts are being intensified in 2026 with the construction of networks in 36 additional locations spread across various remote areas. ‘Our hopes are very high. We guarantee that by 2027, no village in East Kalimantan will be left in the dark. All will enjoy a stable and reliable electricity supply,’ Chaliq stated. This commitment has drawn appreciation from the East Kalimantan Provincial Government. Deputy Governor Seno Aji assessed the programme as tangible evidence of the state’s presence reaching even the most remote areas. For communities that have long lived with limited energy access, electricity is more than just a facility; it is the key to unlocking the region’s undeveloped potential. ‘This achievement is concrete proof that the government is present to fulfil the basic needs of the people, especially for rural and remote communities that have not been optimally served,’ Seno said. To ensure the target is not hindered, the provincial government has pledged to be a strategic partner for PLN. Bureaucratic obstacles will be streamlined, licensing processes accelerated, and all regional agencies instructed to provide technical support so that construction proceeds on schedule.