KBRN, Jayapura: Efforts to bring electricity to remote communities in Papua are gaining momentum, as Indonesia’s state-owned power company PLN (Persero) sets its sights on illuminating more than 4,200 villages that remain without access to power. The initiative is seen not only as an infrastructure project but also as a crucial step toward improving social welfare and unlocking economic opportunities across the region.

General Manager of PLN’s Papua and West Papua Regional Office, Diksi Erfani Umar, said in Jayapura on Sunday, December 28, 2025, that the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has allocated more than IDR 500 billion in 2025 to build power infrastructure at 128 sites in Papua.

“The initial target for 2026 covers around 554 locations, requiring an estimated IDR 2.5 trillion in funding, in line with the assignment from the Ministry of ESDM,” Umar explained, as quoted by Antara.

He noted that this marks the first major government assignment to PLN in Papua Raya in the past three years. “All of the initial targets are spread across our working areas, so we hope construction can begin promptly,” he added.

To ensure smooth implementation, PLN is prioritizing social engagement, coordinating closely with local administrations, from governors and regents to subdistrict heads, to secure land and facilitate project development.

Umar emphasized that power generation will be tailored to local energy potential. 

“In areas with abundant water resources, such as the Arfak Mountains, we will develop mini and micro-hydro plants (PLTMH). Meanwhile, in regions with limited water supply, like Southwest Papua, we will rely on solar power plants (PLTS) equipped with batteries or hybrid systems,” he said.

Erika Retnowati, a member of the Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas), expressed hope that PLN can overcome the challenges of electrification in Papua. “There are still about 4,200 villages in Papua that need electricity. We hope this can be resolved soon so that every community can enjoy access to power,” she said.

Retnowati recently visited PLN’s operations in Papua, including the Skyline Substation in Jayapura, to observe the local electricity system firsthand. ***