REMOTE VILLAGES GET SOLAR POWER PLANTS

Luwuk, C Sulawesi, Dec 29 (ANTARA) - The Banggai regency administration in Central Sulawesi built 978 solar power plants (PLTS) for remote villages in the region.

"The assistance is aimed at speeding up power development in the remote villages," Head of Banggai Mining and Energy Agency Hardi Uda'a said here Sunday.

Throughout 2009, 32 PLTS had been built in Towu village, Toili subdistrict. The PLTS are integrated with a capacity of 5 KW each.

In 2007, PLTS are also built in three other villages in Luwuk Timur subdistrict, namely 65 units in Lauwon village, 286 in Molino village, and 250 in Boitan village.

The PLTS constituted an assistance from the Ministry of Development of Disadvantaged Regions and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, at a total cost of Rp9.291 billion. Each unit had cost Rp9.5 million to build.

A year later, in Maleo Jaya village, Batui subdistrict, another 95 units were also built in a number of villages.

The PLTS had been built with a budget provided by the Ministry of Development of Disadvantaged Regions and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources from 2007 to 2009, he said.

In Tompotika Makmur, 125 units had been built at a cost from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. In Lamala, 71 units had been built in Baruga village, and in Balantak, 54 units had been built.
Hardi said that the PLTS are serving villages in remote places not yet covered by state power company PT. PLN.

Several PLTS units were also placed at village meeting halls, mosques, and other houses of prayer, Hardi said.