Minister of ESDM Promises Electricity Supply for North Sulawesi's Island Regions

Manado (ANTARA) - The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, has promised to supply electricity to several island and outermost regions in North Sulawesi (Sulut). “By 2026 to 2027, all villages and island areas in Sulut will be illuminated through the Village Electrification Programme,” Bahlil said after opening the 11th Regional Deliberation (Musda) of the Golkar Party of North Sulawesi, in Manado on Saturday. Bahlil stated that there are still several villages in the island regions of Sulut that have not yet enjoyed electricity, so these will be completed in the next two years. “I have met with the Governor of Sulut, Yulius Selvanus, and we will together illuminate all villages up to the islands in Sulut,” he said. He explained that across Indonesia, it must be acknowledged that not all areas are yet connected to electricity, such as in Sulawesi, Kalimantan, NTT, Sumatra, and Papua. “We are striving to realise community welfare through equitable distribution of electricity energy,” he said. Bahlil, as someone from eastern Indonesia, said he has experienced what it was like as a child without electricity or other facilities. “I do not want our children today to experience that,” he said. The ESDM Minister is committed to accelerating the Village Electrification Programme (Lisdes) to supply around 5,700 villages and 4,400 hamlets that are not yet reached by electricity, targeting full completion by 2029-2030. This programme is a priority of the Prabowo-Gibran government with budget allocations already prepared for 2025-2026, to provide energy justice for residents in remote areas.