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| President Joko Widodo oversees the completed gas power plant in Gorontalo, after an official inauguration ceremony on Friday (03/06). (State Palace Press Photo/Laily) |
Jakarta.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo officiated a 100 Megawatt Gorontalo Gas Power
Plant in the province’s Pohuwatu Regency, Friday (03/06), while addressing
mounting complaints of electricity shortages.
“Every time
I visit any regions, I have always asked about complaints. They gave the same
answer: electricity. Frequent blackouts,” Jokowi said, as quoted by a state
palace statement.
In his
speech, Jokowi called on all governors, district heads, mayors and stakeholders
to unite in resolving current problems on electricity. “We will chase this
issue, but we have to share work loads. Central government should assist in
land procurement, for the construction to continue in the regions,” he added.
The president
said blackouts frequently occur throughout the regions, particularly in remote
areas, with some blackouts lasting as long as six hours a day or occurring a
number of times each day.
Gorontalo
is now among three provinces with secured electricity supply, as its gas power
plant has successfully completed — and listed among the fastest in completion —
he said.
“The others
[provinces] would have to wait in line [for power plants]. But this is the
fastest, only seven months from construction to installation,” Jokowi said.
Utilizing
various energy sources for public and investors
The
president added his administration will not rely on only one energy source on
these power plant constructions.
“The more
they are varied, the better. Everything can be used, the sea waves, wind,
geothermal, gas, coal — we have everything.”
A
Presidential Regulation issued this year allows the acceleration of electric
power infrastructure to attract foreign investment.
“It would
be impossible for investors to wait for the availability of investments. They
would move to other provinces [with electricity] or even to other countries,”
Jokowi said.
The
president has seen that electricity is the most important element needed by
various sectors such as industry and manufacture and for public welfare, adding
that he would personally supervise all construction projects to be completed
according to schedule.
Gorontalo
Power Plant's officiation has concluded the president's scheduled work visit,
after visiting Aceh and West Kalimantan to oversee the continuation of
electricity infrastructure projects.
