North Sumatra Prepares Electricity Network and PLTS to Reach Remote Villages

MEDAN, LINE BUMI, GARISBUMI.com – Expanding the distribution network and building solar power plants (PLTS) is a strategy to reach people who do not yet enjoy electricity in remote areas of North Sumatra. Even though the province's electrification ratio has reached 99.86%, access, land and licensing barriers still need to be resolved to complete electricity services.

The North Sumatra Provincial Government together with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) and PT PLN (Persero) North Sumatra Main Distribution Unit (UID) discussed these steps in a Rural Electricity Program Synchronization Meeting (Lisdes) at the North Sumatra PLN UID Office, Jalan Yos Sudarso, Medan, Wednesday (7/10/2026).

The two-day activity involved representatives of 33 districts/cities as well as related agencies, including the Forestry Service, Environmental Service, and ATR/BPN. The discussion focused on location proposals, land preparation, and completion of permits for electricity infrastructure development.

PLTS Becomes Part of Rural Electricity Strategy

Director of Electricity Development at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Andriah Feby Misna, said that completing electricity access in remote areas remains a priority to support the target of an electrification ratio of 100% by 2029.

"For 2026, there are 106 Lisdes network locations in North Sumatra spread across 23 districts/cities. Around 44% or 47 of them are in the Nias Islands and Mandailing Natal areas. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is implementing three main strategies, namely expanding the distribution network (grid), building Communal PLTS and Individual PLTS," said Feby.

With this strategy, expanding access to electricity includes building a distribution network as well as utilizing solar energy through communal and individual PLTS.

Feby asked the local government to support the provision of road access, ensure clarity of location coordinate data, and facilitate the completion of forest area utilization permits.