One Year of Prabowo-Gibran Successfully Brings Light to Papua Through Village Electrification
By: Loa Murib
Equitable distribution of electricity is one of the monumental achievements in the first year of the administration of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka. Through the Village Electrification program, the government has succeeded in bringing light to remote areas of the archipelago, including remote areas in Papua that have lived in darkness for decades. This program is not simply an infrastructure project, but a tangible symbol of the state’s presence for all people without exception.
In Kiraweri District, Arfak Mountains Regency, West Papua, the night atmosphere is now different. Where once there was only the dim light of oil lamps or simple fires, now the glitter of electric lights illuminates every home. The lives of the people have changed drastically, both educationally, economically, and socially. Children can study with proper lighting, housewives can cook without having to rush into darkness, and residents’ activities are now more productive. All of this is proof that the Village Electrification program has truly transformed the face of rural Papua.
This transformation is inseparable from the government’s strong commitment to implementing one of the main points of Asta Cita (Association of Asta Cita), namely equitable development and national energy independence. Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, explained that there are still approximately 5,700 villages, or 6.76 percent of Indonesia’s territory, that do not have electricity. The government aims to have all these villages access to electricity by 2030. This strategic target demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring that all people enjoy the benefits of equitable development.
Specifically in Papua, the construction of renewable energy-based power plants, such as the 150 kW Anggi Micro-Hydro Power Plant (PLTMH), is a concrete step that is both environmentally friendly and efficient. Water energy from the mountains is converted into electricity that lights the homes of residents of Kiraweri District. The implementation of this green technology is also in line with the government’s vision to achieve a sustainable energy transition and reduce dependence on fossil fuels in remote areas.
The enlightenment in Kiraweri not only brings electricity but also brings new hope to its residents. People are now more confident in developing small businesses, such as agricultural processing, home industries, and selling electricity-based local products. Electricity also opens access to communications technology, allowing villagers to connect with the outside world, market their produce, and obtain vital information to improve their standard of living.
PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo stated that the state-owned electricity company continues to fulfill the government’s mandate to provide electricity throughout the country, including the 3T (frontier, outermost, and disadvantaged) regions. With the full support of the President and the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, PLN is targeting massive electricity infrastructure development in various remote areas. This year, PLN is committed to electrifying 1,285 villages by constructing a 4,770-kilometer (km) medium-voltage network, a 3,265-km low-voltage network, and 94,040 kilovolt-amperes (kVA) distribution substations. Through this program, more than 77,000 families across Indonesia are expected to enjoy the benefits of electricity for the first time.
According to Darmawan, the presence of electricity has had a major transformational impact on society. Besides improving living standards, electricity also drives rural economic growth and creates new jobs. With electricity, local economic potential can be maximized because productive activities can be carried out for longer and with greater efficiency.
The government recognizes that energy infrastructure development is a crucial foundation for equitable national development. Therefore, the Village Electrification program not only targets urban areas or centers of economic growth but also reaches small villages in valleys, mountains, and even remote islands. This spirit of equality is a concrete manifestation of the commitment to ensuring that no citizen is left in the dark.
The people of Papua are now experiencing the direct benefits of policies that support the people’s basic needs. For residents like Elias Inyomusi Anakangi, electricity is not just about lighting, but a symbol of civilizational change. The presence of electric light has transformed the way they live, work, and dream. Children can study without interruption, homes are safer at night, and social life becomes more vibrant as residents can gather in bright and comfortable spaces.
