Big industries finally get discounts from PLN

State electricity firm PT PLN has been instructed by the energy and mineral resources minister to give special discount to large electricity customers, consuming more than 30,000 VA and more - or those in the electricity tariff category I-4.

PLN's marketing director Eddie Widiono said that the instruction to give the discount was a solution to the stalemate between PLN and its big customers, who refused to pay the new electricity tariffs fully.

"We have got the ministerial decree. But the government requires us to give the discount at an acceptable level and this must be pursued through a process toward a win-win solution," he said.

Eddie said that the discount it offered indicated that PLN was transparent and not arrogant. "Not like what has been aired by a number of associations thus far."

Meanwhile, Director General of Electricity and Energy Development Endro Utomo Notodisuryo, who is also chief commissioner of PLN, confirmed about the issuance of a ministerial decree ordering PLN to give discount to large businesses.

However, Endro noted that the discount would be given after negotiations between PLN and the respective industries, and not with associations.

A number of associations of local industries falling into the I-4 electricity tariffs category have protested against the new tariff increase of up to more than 100 percent. They include the Association of Indonesian Textile Producers (API), the Association of Indonesian Apparel Manufacturers (AMI), the Associaiton of Indonesian Billet and Steel Roll Producers (AbBesi), the Association of Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants (PHRI) and the Association of Indonesian Synthetic Fiber Producers (APSyFI). (*)