PLN completes restoration of Flores electricity system after earthquake
PT PLN (Persero) has successfully restored the electricity system in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), following the M7.7 earthquake, so that by Tuesday (18/8) at 5:40 p.m. WITA, all affected customers were once again enjoying electricity supply.
“Alhamdulillah, we have been able to complete the restoration of the electricity system in Flores. Since the earthquake occurred, our PLN colleagues immediately moved, working day and night, visiting affected locations one by one,” said PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo in an official statement confirmed by ANTARA from Jakarta on Tuesday.
Darmawan said that the completion of the Flores electricity system restoration is part of PLN’s efforts to remain present in the community, particularly in post-disaster situations.
Darmawan noted that the restoration process was also inseparable from the support of various parties who helped PLN face the post-disaster conditions. He therefore expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) for its support and coordination during the restoration process.
“We also extend our appreciation to the regional government, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), and the community who helped in the field. Some helped open access, provided information about the condition of the area, and supported officers during the restoration. It is this spirit of mutual cooperation that has enabled us to get through this difficult situation together,” said Darmawan.
Darmawan added that the full recovery of the electricity system also supports the restoration of community activities and the tourism sector in Labuan Bajo.
“The electricity restoration in Labuan Bajo is part of PLN’s support for the continuity of economic and tourism activities in this Super Priority Tourism Destination (DPSP) area. We want to ensure that electricity continues to support Labuan Bajo as one of the main gateways for tourism in Eastern Indonesia,” said Darmawan.
General Manager of PLN’s East Nusa Tenggara Regional Main Unit, F. Eko Sulistyono, explained that the restoration process was carried out in stages by deploying personnel, materials and equipment to a number of affected locations.
“Since the earthquake occurred, we immediately conducted an assessment of the network conditions in all affected areas. We deployed 1,144 personnel to carry out security, repairs and normalisation in stages,” said Eko.
He explained that the restoration process also faced a number of challenges in the field, such as access to several locations that experienced obstacles due to the impact of the earthquake.
“Officers had to conduct point-by-point inspections before the network could be normalised again. In several locations, the condition of access and affected infrastructure posed particular challenges. We continued to mobilise personnel, materials and equipment so that every point could be handled quickly while prioritising safety,” he explained.
Eko added that after the entire Flores electricity system was 100 percent restored, PLN continued to keep personnel on standby to monitor network conditions and anticipate potential further disruptions.
Amid the restoration process, PLN also distributed aid to affected communities through its Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) programme. The aid distribution was carried out in coordination with BPBD, regional governments, social services and security forces so that it could reach communities according to needs in each location.