Govt Allocates Rp1 Trillion To Buy Generators For Border Areas

Jakarta, Dec 19 (Antara) - The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry has set aside Rp1 trillion to buy small-size diesel generators with a combined capacity of 60 megawatts for 47 border areas and outlying islands in Indonesia. "Funds worth Rp1 trillion will be used to buy generators and their distribution instruments for 47 border areas and outlying islands," Director General of Electrical Power at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry Jarman said following a meeting of the National Energy Council (DEN) here on Thursday. "The areas will receive power supplies in different amounts. Some of them will receive half megawatt power, while others will receive one megawatt," he added. The government will soon commence the project that is expected to be completed next year, he noted. According to him, the operation of diesel generators will not increase the fuel consumption of state electricity company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN). The use of fuels for diesel generators will be stipulated in a ministerial decree. "The energy and mineral resources minister will issue a decree allowing outlying islands to use fuels after being "upgraded" with local energy," he remarked. Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Sudirman Said stated the project has been aimed at fulfilling President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo`s pledge to supply electricity to border areas and outlying islands. "President Jokowi once stated that he did not want any single region in darkness when Indonesia commemorates its 70th Independence Day (on August 17, 2015)," he said.