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Lack of support from regions may shatter electrification program: govt
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A technician checks the outer temperature of an electricity transformer in the switch yard grid of Selorejo power plant in Malang, East Java. (The Jakarta Post/Wahyoe Boediwardhana)
T
he government has criticized its regional counterparts for not supporting the national electrification program in terms of funding as the state budget is insufficient to ensure an electricity supply to all parts of Indonesia.
Only five out of 34 provinces have been participating in the program, which requires regional administrations to help with the cost of electricity connection installation.
The five provinces are North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Gorontalo, Central Java and Banten. Administrations in those provinces have committed to provide the funds to 22,992 households in their regions.
Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan said that funds from the central government and state electricity firm PLN were not enough to subsidize the initial cost of electricity connection that could reach Rp 500,000 (US$35.10) each.
“Many people are unable to pay Rp 500,000 [for the installation]. So, we urge regional administrations to set aside some of their budget for the installation cost,” he said in Jakarta recently.
The government has earmarked Rp 6 trillion in the state budget to cover the cost of installation for electricity connection this year.
There are still more than 1 million households across Indonesia without an electricity supply.
