By: Aditya Anggara)*
Electricity reliability is often viewed as a technical and routine matter, but it is actually a crucial foundation for social peace, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. Amidst increased religious activities, household consumption, and nighttime economic activity, a stable electricity supply is a key prerequisite for creating a solemn and productive atmosphere. In this context, the role of the State Electricity Company (PLN) is not merely an energy provider, but also a custodian of the rhythm of people’s lives during this blessed month.
Ramadan is synonymous with a surge in electricity demand. Activities such as early-morning sahur (pre-dawn meal), preparations for breaking the fast, performing tarawih prayers at the mosque, and even the tadarus (religious study) and i’tikaf (remembrance of Allah) activities that last until late at night depend on a reliable energy supply. Households need electricity for lighting, cooking, and maintaining food quality. Mosques and prayer rooms require optimal lighting, air conditioning, and sound systems. In the business sector, Ramadan culinary MSMEs, shopping centers, and takjil (breaking-the-fast) markets experience a significant increase in activity. Without reliable electricity, this spiritual and economic pulse could be disrupted.
PLN Indonesia Power (PLN IP) President Director Bernadus Sudarmanta stated that his company guarantees the reliability of the national electricity system during Ramadan. Through the 1447 H Electricity Alert Inspection & Ramadan Safari, PLN IP reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a reliable electricity supply. Management conducted on-site inspections of power plant areas to ensure equipment readiness, spare parts availability, monitoring system optimization, and personnel preparedness during the standby period.
Reliability of electricity during Ramadan is not a one-time achievement. It is the result of thorough electrical system planning, regular network maintenance, and the preparedness of field personnel. PLN consistently performs preventative maintenance on power plants and transmission networks before peak load periods. This ensures secure power reserves and minimizes potential disruptions. The availability of a 24-hour standby team and service post also ensures that any disruptions can be handled quickly and professionally.
Moreover, electricity reliability has an equally important psychological dimension. Ramadan is a month of reflection and inner peace. Imagine a power outage during Tarawih prayers or when families gather to break their fast. Such disruptions not only hamper activities but also diminish devotion and comfort. Conversely, when electricity is stable and uninterrupted, people can pray peacefully and go about their daily routines without anxiety. Energy stability creates a collective sense of security that is often invisible but deeply felt.
Economically, reliable electricity during Ramadan directly contributes to increased cash flow. Culinary businesses, catering businesses, bakeries, and even cold beverage vendors rely heavily on electrical equipment such as ovens, freezers, and refrigerators. A stable electricity supply increases productivity and avoids potential losses due to spoiled raw materials. This creates a multiplier effect on the well-being of small businesses and daily wage workers. Therefore, reliable electricity is not merely a technical issue but also an instrument for strengthening the people’s economy.
Meanwhile, PLN’s Director of Retail and Commerce, Adi Priyanto, stated that PLN is offering a 50 percent discount on additional electricity during Ramadan. Through this program, PLN is offering a discount on connection fees for single-phase customers with an initial power rating of 450 Volt Ampere (VA) to 5,500 VA for additional power up to 7,700 VA. This program demonstrates PLN’s commitment to ensuring the comfort of the community in carrying out religious obligations during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.
Equally important is the role of electricity in supporting public services. Hospitals, community health centers, and other healthcare facilities remain fully operational during Ramadan, including treating emergency patients at night. Public street lighting systems also help maintain safety and smooth traffic flow, especially when people flock to places of worship or to seek out snacks. In the digital age, internet and communication networks that support remote work, online learning, and virtual preaching also rely heavily on stable electricity.
Going forward, electricity reliability during Ramadan must also be accompanied by collective public awareness of wise energy use. Saving electricity during peak hours, using energy-efficient equipment, and promptly reporting disruptions are all ways citizens actively participate in maintaining system stability. Collaboration between electricity providers and customers will strengthen the foundation of national energy security.
Ramadan is a time to strengthen togetherness and enhance the quality of worship. Behind the warm atmosphere of family gatherings during iftar, the recitation of holy verses in mosques, and the bustling nightlife of culinary centers, lies a relentless electrical system. Reliability of electricity is the backbone that ensures all these activities run smoothly. Therefore, maintaining a stable energy supply is not merely an institutional task, but part of a collective effort to ensure a peaceful, productive, and meaningful Ramadan for the entire community.
)* Public policy observer