"We will focus on electrical development in the eastern part of Indonesia, because there are many people who do not receive electricity," President Joko Widodo said.
Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA News) - The government will prioritize the development of electricity in Eastern Indonesia, President Joko Widodo has stated.

"We will focus on electrical development in the eastern part of Indonesia, because there are many people who do not receive electricity," President Joko Widodo said here on Monday.

It was further noted that eastern Indonesia has a great potential for solar-powered electric generators (PLTS).

"The construction of PLTS in Oelpuah Village, Kupang District, was completed in nine months," the president said.

"If the PLTS runs well, we will build PLTS throughout eastern Indonesia," he affirmed.

The president said that PLTS was the best solution to overcome the problem of the electricity crisis that is occurring in Indonesia.

"The problem of electricity does not only occur in the province, but also throughout Indonesia. Therefore, Indonesia will use solar power plants," he reiterated.

Earlier, President Joko Widodo held a meeting with some 150 power plant investors at the State Palace on Tuesday to discuss efforts to accelerate the development of projects to generate 35 thousand megawatts (MW) of electricity.

"In todays meeting, I want to emphasize again that power projects to generate 35 thousand MW of electricity are needed. It is not a small figure, and therefore, I closely monitor the developments in the projects. I always summon the president director of the state-owned electricity firm (PLN) and the relevant minister," the president stated, while addressing investors at the State Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Jokowi emphasized that issues related to electricity were not only the concern of the PLN, but also the state. He expressed optimism that the issue of electricity shortage in the country would be resolved soon.

"Each time I visit different regions, I always hear the same complaints about power cuts and shortages of electricity. This is not the fault of the PLN director and the minister, but such a problem should be solved," remarked the president.

Jokowi also stated that the requirement for 35 thousand MW of electricity must be met, and thus, the government had deregulated rules to accelerate development to reach the target.

"We are able to develop projects to generate 35 thousand MW of electricity. If the permit issuance process is too complicated and lengthy, the bureaucratic procedures should be cut short. That is what we are doing now," he explained.

The president also expressed relief on learning that the agreements related to power projects to generate 17,300 MW of electricity had been signed.

"I have received a report that, as of the end of this year, agreements on projects with a total capacity of 17,300 MW had been signed. I think if we can reach 10 thousand MW this year, the 35 thousand MW target (by 2019) could be achieved," the president emphasized.

The president also individually sought the commitment of investors attending the meeting to participate in the projects, with a total capacity of 35 thousand MW by 2019.

An investor in a geothermal power plant in the province said the project would be completed by the end of 2019, but the president had urged that the project's completion be accelerated.

"Can we work day and night? The people are awaiting the completion of the projects. I have to face complaints with regard to it," Jokowi affirmed.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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