Delay in RUPTL caused by a number of issues: Official

By Cepi Setiadi

The current delay by state-owned electricity firm PT PLN in submitting the electricity procurement business plans (RUPTL) to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (MEMR) has been caused by a number of issues that have yet to be settled by the utility firm with the government according to a senior government official.

Krisnawan Aditya, a senior official at the Directorate General of Electricity at the MEMR, said that this is for the first time that PLN has ever delayed submitting the RUPTL.

Speaking at the 6th Indonesia Electricity & Independent Power Producer (IPP) Conference on Wednesday, Krisnawan said that among of the lingering issues, in which PLN is still discussing it with the government, is with regards to the country?s 2025 energy mix target set by the government particularly on renewable energy, which is projected to account for 25 percent of the energy mix. .

Another lingering issue is with regards to the government?s five-year program to push for the development of a combined 35,000 MW power plants until 219, in which PLN has been assigned to develop a total of 10,000 MW. But Krisnawan said that there has been talks that the target for PLN would be lowered to 5,000 MW.

Another issue that is still being discussed by PLN with the government is regarding the government?s rural electricity program, in which PLN would be the executor while the government provides funding. ?As this is a very important program, it should be funded by the government.

As quoted by this portal recently, Director General of Electricity Jarman said that PLN has been warned to submit to the MEMR the revised RUPTL by March 20 for approval. He said that if PLN fails to meet the deadline, the ministry will formulate its own RUPTL and that PLN must realize the targets set in the plan.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak