ELECTRICITY has become a necessary part of all life, it is difficult to imagine life without electricity because all light to heavy sectors depend on electrical energy. Behind this convenience, there is the State Electricity Company (PLN) which has been struggling for decades to meet the electricity needs of the Indonesian people.
Right now, as the commemoration of National Electricity Day, namely October 27, can be an opportunity to explore more deeply PLN’s long journey in supporting the country’s progress.
Find out more about the meaning behind this historic day, and what themes are raised and how PLN has traveled as an electricity sector institution in supplying energy supplies throughout Indonesia.
Theme and Meaning of National Electricity Day
Every year, National Electricity Day has a theme, namely “Electricity for a Better Life”, which is a meaning of hope for the electricity sector. The theme for National Electricity Day 2024 is a reflection of the focus and priorities for development of the electricity sector in Indonesia.
The theme “Electricity for a Better Life” contains broad meaning and is relevant to current conditions in Indonesia. Here are some important points to emphasize through this theme:
- Improved Access and Quality of Electricity: This theme emphasizes the importance of equitable and quality access to electricity for all levels of society. Adequate access to electricity is the key to improving living standards, opening up economic opportunities and encouraging progress in various fields.
- Use of Electricity for Daily Life: Electricity is not just a basic need, but also a driver of innovation and progress. This theme encourages the use of electricity for various purposes, such as education, health, transportation and industry, which ultimately improves people’s quality of life.
- Sustainable Energy Transition: This theme also underlines the importance of the energy transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. Indonesia has great potential in developing renewable energy, such as solar, wind and water power. The development of renewable energy will help reduce dependence on fossil energy and support lower carbon emission targets.
PLN’s Long Journey in Powering Indonesia
PLN’s journey has not been easy, starting in 1945 with the takeover of the electricity company from the colonialists until the replacement of PLN which was previously called the Electricity and Gas Bureau.
In the beginning, electricity management was still simple and limited. However, the government realized the importance of electricity to support development, so the Electricity and Gas Bureau developed into PLN.
Starting with the process of transferring power to the electricity company again at the end of World War II in August 1945, when Japan surrendered to the Allies. The youth and electricity workers took advantage of this opportunity through a delegation of Electricity and Gas Workers/Employees who together with the Central KNI Leaders took the initiative to meet President Soekarno.
With the aim of handing over these companies to the Government of the Republic of Indonesia. On October 27 1945, President Soekarno formed the Electricity and Gas Bureau under the Ministry of Public Works and Power with an electric power generation capacity of 157.5 MW.
Exactly on January 1, 1961, the Electricity and Gas Bureau was changed to BPU-PLN (General Leadership Agency of the State Electricity Company) which operated in the electricity, gas and coke sector which was disbanded on January 1, 1965. At the same time, 2 (two) companies the state, namely the State Electricity Company (PLN) as the state-owned electric power manager and the State Gas Company (PGN) as the gas manager were inaugurated.
In 1972, in accordance with Government Regulation no. 18, the status of the State Electricity Company (PLN) is determined as the State Electricity Public Company and as the Electricity Business Authorization Holder (PKUK) with the task of providing electricity for the public interest.
In line with the Government’s policy of providing opportunities for the private sector to engage in the business of providing electricity, since 1994 PLN’s status has changed from a Public Company to a Limited Liability Company (Persero) and also as a PKUK in providing electricity for the public interest until now.
National Electricity Day is a time for reflection and evaluation of the achievements and challenges faced by PLN. This warning reminds us all of how important electricity is in supporting various aspects of life, as well as the hope that PLN and the electricity sector will continue to develop.
Even though PLN still faces many challenges on its long journey, with a spirit of collaboration between the government, society and the private sector, Indonesia can move towards sustainable energy independence. (Z-3)
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