October 29, 2025 | 04:05 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, inaugurated two new micro hydro power plants (PLTMH) in the eastern regions of Indonesia. The inaugurated power plants are the 128 kW Wairara PLTMH in East Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara, and the 150 kW Anggi I PLTMH in West Papua.
During the same event, the Ministry of Energy also commenced the construction of the 500 kW capacity Anggi II PLTMH in the Arfak Mountains of West Papua.
Minister Bahlil Lahadalia stated that this step is a strategy to expand electricity access in remote areas through environmentally friendly power plants. Bahlil aims to ensure that all Indonesian villages have electricity by 2030.
"I have instructed that by 2029 to 2030, all villages must have electricity access. The nation's children deserve proper facilities for learning, medical care, and livelihood," he said during the inauguration in Minahasa, North Sulawesi, on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
The inauguration event was conducted in a hybrid manner. Bahlil led from Minahasa, Deputy Minister of Eenergy, Yuliot, from East Sumba, and the Director General of New and Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (EBTKE), Eniya Listyani, from West Papua.
Bahlil mentioned that the national electrification ratio had reached 98.53 percent by the first semester of 2025. However, there are still around 1.47 percent of households, especially in the Frontier, Outermost, and Disadvantaged (3T) regions, which have not yet enjoyed electricity.
He explained that accelerating electrification in 3T regions is the government's top priority. "I have already asked the Director General of EBTKE, the Director General of Electricity, and PLN. The budget is available, so prioritize the 3T regions and resolve them first," said Bahlil.
The Wairara PLTMH in East Sumba is a successful example of small-scale, environmentally friendly water energy utilization suited to the area's geographical conditions. The power plant has been able to illuminate 105 households, schools, health centers, government offices, churches, and various public facilities in the Wairara Village since it started operating in November 2022.
Deputy Minister of Energy, Yuliot, explained that the presence of Wairara PLTMH not only provides clean energy but also stimulates the local economy. Meanwhile, the Anggi Phase I and II PLTMH projects in the Arfak Mountains, West Papua, will make the region the first district with 100 percent of its electricity supply coming from new and renewable energy (EBT).
"With an additional capacity of 2 x 250 kW, this power plant will reduce dependence on oil-fueled power plants," said Yuliot.
In the future, Yuliot stated that the electricity system of the Anggi PLTMH will be integrated with the power grid in several surrounding areas, such as Sururey, Demaisi, Taige, Catubouw, Menyambouw, Hink, and Anggi Gida, to expand electrification coverage in the Arfak Mountains.
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