T

he East Java provincial administration will develop micro hydroelectric power plants (PLTMH) with capacity of less than 500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) to help thousands of people in rural areas meet their daily power needs.

PLTMH have proved effective in helping similar communities in 13 regions across the country, including in Riau, Lampung, Toraja, West Java and East Java, enjoy cheap and easy access to electricity.

"Apart from that, the technology is also easy to learn for the local community," East Java Governor Soekarwo said Thursday as he officially launched the development of a PLTMH in Seloliman subdistrict, Trawas district, Mojokerto. At present, 61 of the province's 8,497 subdistricts remain unconnected to state-owned electricity company PT PLN's grid.

To realize the plan, Soekarwo said, his administration would establish a regional guarantor institution tasked with providing guarantees to both investors investing in the development of PLTMH and banks providing loans for such projects.

"We will offer the projects to banks to help subdistrict administrations develop PLTMH in the province," he said.

Yuyun, from Biting village, Seloliman subdistrict, expressed gratitude over the building of PLTMH in the region.

She said 50 low-income families in Biting and Balekambang villages were benefiting from the project.

"To enjoy the electricity from the PLTMH, I just have to pay Rp 20,000 a month, much cheaper than PLN, whose rate is about Rp 50,000 per month," she said.

The PLTMH in Seloliman, with investment of Rp 450 million, produces 14.7 kW to help economically challenged families in the region that had so far remained untouched by PLN.

Rasman Nuralam, 39, of Cibuluk subdistrict, Cidaun district, Cianjur regency, West Java, said the development of a PLTMH in his village had also made the villagers more environmentally aware.

Thanks to the PLTMH, he said, villagers in his region were no longer cutting down trees or destroying forests.

"Before we had the PLTMH, my village was notorious for its illegal loggers," Rasman said.

"Now they realize that preserving nature and not cutting down trees at will can also help preserve water conditions, which in turn can be made use to produce electricity."

Seloliman Environmental Foundation director Suroso expressed similar sentiments, and urged the East Java provincial administration to continue providing cheap and environmentally friendly energy alternatives for the community.

Governor Soekarwo said that apart from developing PLTMH as energy resource alternatives, his administration would also develop a geothermal power plant in Ngebel Ponorogo and in the mountainous regions of Ijen and Arjuno-Welirang.