Indonesia Should Unite to Overcome Electricity Crisis: Jokowi
Jakarta. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo officiated a 100 Megawatt Gorontalo Gas Power Plant in the province’s Pohuwatu Regency, Friday (03/06), while addressing mounting complaints of electricity shortages.
“Every time I visit any regions, I have always asked about complaints. They gave the same answer: electricity. Frequent blackouts,” Jokowi said, as quoted by a state palace statement.
In his speech, Jokowi called on all governors, district heads, mayors and stakeholders to unite in resolving current problems on electricity. “We will chase this issue, but we have to share work loads. Central government should assist in land procurement, for the construction to continue in the regions,” he added.
The president said blackouts frequently occur throughout the regions, particularly in remote areas, with some blackouts lasting as long as six hours a day or occurring a number of times each day.
Gorontalo is now among three provinces with secured electricity supply, as its gas power plant has successfully completed — and listed among the fastest in completion — he said.
“The others [provinces] would have to wait in line [for power plants]. But this is the fastest, only seven months from construction to installation,” Jokowi said.
Utilizing various energy sources for public and investors
The president added his administration will not rely on only one energy source on these power plant constructions.
“The more they are varied, the better. Everything can be used, the sea waves, wind, geothermal, gas, coal — we have everything.”
A Presidential Regulation issued this year allows the acceleration of electric power infrastructure to attract foreign investment.
“It would be impossible for investors to wait for the availability of investments. They would move to other provinces [with electricity] or even to other countries,” Jokowi said.
The president has seen that electricity is the most important element needed by various sectors such as industry and manufacture and for public welfare, adding that he would personally supervise all construction projects to be completed according to schedule.
Gorontalo Power Plant's officiation has concluded the president's scheduled work visit, after visiting Aceh and West Kalimantan to oversee the continuation of electricity infrastructure projects.
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