Ministry of EMR Guarantees Electricity Service and Reliability amid Pandemic

MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES

REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

PRESS RELEASE

NUMBER: 200.Pers/04/SJI/2020

Date: 6 June 2020

Ministry of EMR Guarantees Electricity Service and Reliability amid Pandemic

Ministry of EMR through Director General of Electricity Rida Mulyana guaranteed that improved quality and reliability of electricity supply, particularly during the current pandemic, had become the government's concern. Rida expressed this at Halalbihalal of Association of Indonesian Electrical and Mechanical Contractors (AKLI) and Association of Indonesian Electrical-Mechanical Professionals (APEI) held virtually, Friday afternoon (5/6).

"The government and our colleague at PLN, day by day, are concerned with giving the guarantee that the electricity supply is not only sufficient but also reliable. Particularly when the PSBB (Large Scale Social Restriction-red) is still imposed, a large number of our fellow citizens have to work from home," said Rida at the gathering which was joined by participants from AKLI, APEI, Construction Services Development Board (LPJK), and state utility company PT PLN (Persero).

To improve electricity system reliability, continued Rida, the government has made a number of breakthroughs, for example by converting fuel oils to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in electricity generation. In addition, the government has directed its focus on increasing the electricity system reliability at Special Economic Zone (KEK), Industrial Zone (KI), Priority Tourism Destination (DPP), Integrated Center for Marine and Fisheries (SKPT), and development of Cross-Border Zone.

To make sure services in the electricity supporting business continue to run amid the COVID-19 pandemic, DG Electricity has issues some new policies utilizing the information technology. The new normal in the electricity subsector has been adopted in the testing of electrical installation and the issuance of Certificate of Operation Worthiness (SLO) and Competency Test of Competency Certification for Electrical Engineer (SKTTK).

"Although there are restrictions due to the COVID-19, we at DG Electricity have continued to maintain service quality. We're now using more advanced technologies in terms of issuance of SLO and SKTTK which is done online," Rida explained.

On this occasion, Rida also explained that Government Regulation Number 22 of 2020 had made clear lines of demarcation between civil engineering which is orientated to Ministry of Public Works and electrical-mechanical engineering orientated to Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (EMR).

"Our reference is clearer so that you as the executor on the field will not be confused," explained Rida.

Next, Rida underlined the need to maintain the investment climate. He stressed the importance of increasing the synergy and communications between the stakeholders in the electricity sector.

"Although we cannot meet in person, and instead we use gadget. If you have any questions or inputs, please do so because we're very open for sake of improving the investment climate in the electricity sector," Rida stated.

To end his remarks, Rida reiterated the importance of obeying the government's health protocol by keeping strict discipline. "Please take good care of yourself. New normal means discipline. Discipline to take care of ourselves, our family, our colleague at the office, and the public. Please apply the health protocol at the office and at home," he concluded. (IY)

Head of Bureau of Communication, Public Information Services, and Cooperation

Agung Pribadi (08112213555)

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