(11/30/2012)
The general manager of the State Electrical Board (PT PLN) for Bali, IBG Mardawa Padangratha told Seputarbali.com that as many as 20% of the public have no electrical access in Bali. Most of the Balinese without electrical power live in the regencies of Karangasem, Bangli and Buleleng.
Mardawa said the main cause for a lack of electrical power in Bali was the distance people live from power lines.
While the idea that 20% of the Balinese have no electricity may seem shocking to come, that figure still compares favorably with the rest of Indonesia wjere 30% of all people still live without electrical connections.
The PLN boss for Bali explained: “The biggest problem is the distance people live from the power grid – spread across hills, mountains and remote jungle. Secondly, many of the people living in remote locations do not have the funds to pay for a connection and the monthly cost of electrification.”
Mardawa confirmed that PLN Bali has received funding from the national budget in 2012 to increase the size of the electrical network. “The government has allocated Rp. 45 billion (US$4.7 million) in 2012 to construct new networks. Our problem, however, is not just building a larger network but also the ability of people to pay for electrical power. That the problem for which we still need a solution,” said Mardawa.
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