Strategic Initiative for Equitable Electrification
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, recently underscored the critical importance of the Village Electricity (Lisdes) program as a key driver for achieving energy equity in Indonesia. He emphasized that this initiative is particularly vital for the country’s frontier, underdeveloped, and outermost (3T) regions, with a clear and urgent focus on Papua. During a recent visit to remote Papuan villages, including Tindaret in the Yapen Islands, Sauyas in Supiori, and Owi Island in Biak Numfor, the minister conveyed a direct mandate from President Prabowo Subianto to ensure energy justice for all Indonesian citizens. Lahadalia highlighted that his ministry is tasked with the ambitious goal of bringing electricity to 10,068 locations across the nation, which includes approximately 5,758 villages and 4,310 hamlets, spanning from Aceh to Papua. He expressed strong optimism that the provision of electricity will empower children in these areas, enabling them to use technology in their education and laying the foundation for a future where they can emerge as leaders within their communities and for the nation as a whole.
Ambitious Roadmap and Multifaceted Implementation
The Lisdes program has a clear and ambitious roadmap for the period of 2025–2029, with a primary objective of providing electricity access to 4,310 locations in Papua alone, which will benefit over 280,000 households. To achieve this challenging goal, the development of electricity infrastructure in these remote regions will involve a comprehensive and multifaceted approach. This includes the expansion of existing grids, the strategic installation of solar power plants to harness renewable energy, and the implementation of the innovative SuperSUN program. According to Darmawan Prasodjo, the president director of the state electricity firm PLN, the Lisdes program has already demonstrated significant progress. In the first half of 2025 alone, it successfully delivered electricity access to 1,606 households across 36 villages in Papua. This early success highlights the program’s effectiveness and the dedication of the teams on the ground to fulfilling this crucial national mandate.
Empowering Local Communities and Fostering Development
The benefits of the Lisdes program extend well beyond simply providing power. Benyamin Arisoy, the head of the Yapen Islands district, highlighted that the program’s impact goes far beyond the supply of electricity to rural villages. It also creates vital opportunities for broader economic and social development in these previously isolated areas. By bringing reliable power to these communities, the program enables local businesses to thrive, supports the growth of small industries, and improves the quality of life for residents. Access to electricity facilitates modern amenities, enhances educational opportunities, and connects these remote regions to the rest of the country. This strategic investment in infrastructure is not just about meeting a basic need but is a powerful tool for empowering local populations, unlocking their potential, and ensuring that they are fully integrated into Indonesia’s national development journey. The program is designed to create a ripple effect, fostering sustainable growth and improving the overall well-being of the Papuan people.
