In 2022, the government has implemented the new installation of low voltage power supply with the capacity of 450 VA, for about 80,183 under privilege households which are un-electrified. This program is also following up on Presidential Instruction Number 4 of 2022 for the acceleration of the extreme poverty reduction by supporting them to connect with the existing PLN electricity grid and becoming PLN Customers. The government under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral resources has issued MEMR regulation Number 3 of 2022 concerning about the implement of New Electricity Connection Assistance Program for the households that cannot afford to pay new electricity connection and installation. There are several requirements for the program beneficiaries, that already mentioned on this regulation, those are:
- The candidates are not registered yet as a customer of PT. PLN (state owned utility company)
- Live in the area that has a low voltage power supply of PT PLN (Persero) with no network expansion or extension needed
- Candidate has been registered in the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS) this data has been published by the Ministry of Social Affairs
- These underprivilege households will be prioritized, if they are in 3T’s Areas (Frontier, Outermost and Least Developed)
- The implementation based on proposal from the Village Head regarding the recipients (by Name and address based on Indonesian Identity Card). The recipients have also been validated by the local authority.
To make the program sustainable, according to Article 13 MEMR Regulation Number 3 of 2022, the government states that the program recipients have the responsibility to maintain their electricity installation and not allow them to change and/or transfer it to another party. So, what do the recipients get from this program? According to Article 10 of this regulation, the government will provide all components for the residential electrical installation that consist of one set of distribution board panels, including one incoming supply circuit breaker with a minimum capacity of 10 Ampere or main switch, three 10 W LED bulbs with the socket, two pieces of electric plug (single and double switch), one socket outlet, an earthing system, a set of cable, and other wiring accessories.
The electrical installation will be done by a qualified electrician from the registered electricity companies, and after they finish the installation and connect to the PLN’s grid, the owner will receive an operating certificate. The entire service is free, and the government covers the entire cost of lighting those families, so they are no longer in the dark or relying on their neighbors.
Most of the recipients of this program really appreciated and expressed their gratitude for the free electricity installation assistance, they said that they did not have any money and could not afford it. Another beneficiary of the BPBL program, said that relying on their neighbor or relatives can sometimes lead to conflict. That is why, having their own electrical installation allows families to avoid problems, including legal problems. The BPBL program is expected to raise the community's standard of living and level of independence, as well as overcome Indonesia's poor energy issues.
