Kepri and PLN Target Six Islands to Enjoy 24-Hour Electricity

Tanjungpinang - The Riau Islands Provincial Government (Pemprov Kepri) and PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) are targeting six islands in the region to enjoy 24-hour electricity this year through the Kepri Terang programme. Riau Islands Governor Ansar Ahmad stated that PLN will build hybrid PLTS + battery systems on six diesel power plants (PLTD) that operate at 50 percent of their installed capacity. “The exact locations are not yet known, as they are still being reviewed by PLN,” the Governor said in Tanjungpinang on Saturday. Ansar mentioned that one location planned to soon enjoy 24-hour electricity this year is Pulau Air Raja in Subang Mas Ward, Galang District, Batam City. He assured that Pemprov Kepri continues to coordinate with PLN to realise 24-hour electricity installation, especially on small inhabited islands that have not yet received electricity lighting. “Currently, the electrification ratio in Kepri has reached 98 percent,” he said. In addition, Ansar continued, Pemprov Kepri together with PLN are also discussing the free new electricity connection assistance (BPBL) programme for communities spread across seven districts/cities in the area. The programme is supported by the central government through the state budget and strengthened by regional budget support as well as aspirations from the Riau Islands DPRD. “This year, BPBL is targeted to reach 1,400 households throughout Kepri,” he said. “Moreover, Kepri is an archipelagic region, so it is certainly not easy to light up small islands with electricity,” Ansar said. Separately, Manager of PLN UP3 Tanjungpinang Rully Agus Widanarto welcomed and is ready to enhance cooperation with Pemprov Kepri in realising the Kepri Terang programme in the border area. “The Kepri Terang programme is very good and proven to have great benefits for the community, from education to the economy,” he said briefly.