By: Gavin Asadit )*
The government has made the village electrification program one of its main priorities in the five years of its leadership. This commitment is reflected in the President’s direct order to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia to accelerate village electrification throughout Indonesia, especially in disadvantaged, outermost, and remote areas (3T). In his statement earlier this year, President Prabowo emphasized that all Indonesian people have the right to enjoy access to energy, and the state has an obligation to ensure that this happens without exception.
According to data released by the Ministry of ESDM, there are still around 5,758 villages that have not been fully connected to the national electricity grid. If calculated more broadly based on hamlet and small community units, the number reaches more than 10,000 points that have not received proper electricity services. The Village Electrification Program (Lisdes) 2025–2029 is targeted to reach all of these points. Minister Bahlil said that the government will allocate a budget of around IDR 48 trillion for this program, or equivalent to IDR 9 trillion per year, as part of an equitable development strategy.
PLN as a state-owned enterprise tasked with providing electricity has been appointed as the main implementer of this program. In the recently launched 2025–2034 Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL), it is stated that PLN will build power plants with a total capacity of 394 megawatts to support the Lisdes program. In addition to building power plants, expanding the distribution network is also a main focus. PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo said that his party will integrate renewable energy technologies, such as solar power plants, microhydro, and diesel hybrids to reach remote areas that are difficult to access through conventional electricity networks.
The government is also encouraging the involvement of the private sector and local business entities in the implementation of the Lisdes project. The public-private partnership (PPP) scheme is being pursued so that project implementation runs more efficiently and has a direct impact on regional economic growth. Bahlil Lahadalia emphasized that this program is not only to provide electricity, but also as a tool to improve the welfare of village communities. Electricity will open access to education, health services, and productive economic activities such as agricultural processing and micro-enterprises.
The impact of the initial implementation of this program has begun to be felt by the community. In Sukabangun Village, Bengkayang Regency, West Kalimantan, electricity that is now on 24 hours a day has brought about significant changes. Previously, residents only relied on expensive oil lamps and generators. Now, with access to electricity, teaching and learning activities can take place at night, small businesses such as rice mills can operate longer, and children can access information from the internet. A similar thing also happened in the North Maluku region, where the government is targeting electricity connections to 19 villages and 1,600 new customers by 2025 alone.
However, the implementation of the Lisdes program is not without major challenges. Geographical constraints are the main obstacle, especially in mountainous areas, dense forests, and small islands spread across Eastern Indonesia. For this reason, the government has prepared a region-based approach, with a development roadmap that is adjusted to local conditions. PLN has prepared a special roadmap to reach these areas, including operating mini power plants and off-grid systems that can serve remote areas independently.
In addition to technical and infrastructure approaches, the government is also preparing economic instruments to support the sustainability of this program. One of them is strengthening the energy subsidy scheme. Although there was talk of providing a 50 percent electricity tariff discount for small customers during June and July 2025, the policy was ultimately not continued. President Prabowo decided to divert the budget to the wage subsidy assistance (BSU) program which was considered more targeted. The government increased the BSU value to IDR 300,000 per month per worker, as a form of support for people’s purchasing power while maintaining an efficient state budget.
Based on the latest report from PLN, by the end of 2024 the national electrification ratio had reached 99.83 percent, while the ratio of electrified villages had reached 99.94 percent. With the 2025–2029 Lisdes program, the government is targeting the electrification ratio and electrified village ratio to reach 100 percent by the end of President Prabowo’s term. This will not only be a symbolic achievement, but will also have a real impact on the quality of life of millions of Indonesians.
The achievement of the 100 percent electrification target is part of President Prabowo’s grand vision to realize justice forsocial through equal distribution of basic infrastructure. The President said that electricity is not just a technical need, but the main foundation for the development of the whole Indonesian people. Therefore, he emphasized that the relevant ministries must ensure that this program runs on time, transparently, and without bureaucratic obstacles.
The Village Electricity Program is not just about connecting cables and installing electricity poles. It is a symbol of the state’s presence in reaching areas that have been left behind. It is a promise of social justice that is being strived to be fulfilled. And most importantly, it is a bridge for millions of Indonesian people to rise, develop, and be equal in enjoying the results of development. In the hands of President Prabowo’s government, Village Electricity is not just a technocratic project, but a legacy of development that directly touches the lives of the people on the front lines of the Republic.
)* The author is an observer of social and community issues
