Minister issues new regulation on provision of electricity for apartments, shopping malls

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Sudirman Said has issued new Ministerial Regulation No 31/2015 on the provision of electricity for properties in limited area such as apartments, condominiums, shopping malls, and warehouses.

The Directorate General of Electricity at the ministry said in a statement last week that the regulation, effective since its issuance in September, aims to help end frequent dispute between tenants and owners of such buildings over electricity expenses.

According to the new regulation, the building owners can charge tenants for the cost of electricity for so-called ?social facilities? such as lifts and corridor lights.

The building owners, however, are not allowed to get margin from the supply of power to such facilities unless they have obtained the required permit from the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) as business entity engaged in the business of power supply.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak