Electricity stands as a fundamental necessity for communities, including those residing in West Papua, Indonesia. It plays a pivotal role in the operation of household appliances, industrial activities, transportation, communication systems, and even healthcare and education. Stable electricity availability is a crucial factor in bolstering the economic growth and social welfare of a region.

Nevertheless, West Papua’s highly complex topography presents significant challenges in electrification efforts. Deskiniel, the Manager of the South Papua Province Electricity Project Implementation Unit at the National Electricity Company of Indonesia, stated, “It demands both perseverance and innovation. Because it’s not merely about providing electricity, but also ensuring its sustainability.”

Electrifying West Papua necessitates innovation and creativity due to the formidable terrain and challenging geographical conditions, requiring novel solutions. National Electricity Company personnel persistently strive to bring electricity to West Papua, despite the inherent difficulties in reaching this region.

For instance, in 2018, Deskiniel and a team of five were assigned to electrify Suw Damban Village in Borme District, Pegunungan Bintang Regency, Highland Papua Province. The journey to this village involved a pioneering caravan aircraft flight, followed by a nine-hour trek across mountainous terrain. Upon their arrival, tribal leaders warmly welcomed Deskiniel and his colleagues, marking the first time outsiders had ever entered their village.

Surveys revealed the potential for providing electricity services to the area through a Pico Hydro Power Plant. The construction of this Pico Hydro Power Plant took one month to complete. The project involved collaborative efforts from the National Electricity Company, the local government, and the community.

Deskiniel, who has dedicated 11 years to the National Electricity Company, explained, “This Pico Hydro Power Plant has a capacity of only 1,000 Watts to power 22 houses, allowing each household to install just one light.” This prompted his realization that the National Electricity Company could not solely rely on conventional methods to electrify West Papua, especially for remote communities nestled in the mountains with limited households.

“It would undoubtedly take another 20 years with an investment cost of IDR 200 million per customer,” remarked Deskiniel, who is now stationed in Merauke.

Currently, 370,000 villages still lack electricity access. Consequently, the National Electricity Company continuously fosters coordination and communication with regional and central government authorities to ensure electricity reaches all villages in West Papua.

Introducing SuperSUN in 3T Regions

To electrify various regions in Papua, the National Electricity Company actively introduces SuperSUN, an affordable solar power plant. Leveraging solar energy makes it highly suitable for electrifying villages in the remote areas.

Thanks to collaboration with Regional and Central Governments, the National Electricity Company successfully electrified 49 houses in Borme District, Pegunungan Bintang Regency, Highland Papua, in December 2024. The installation of these electricity services involved local villagers due to the straightforward implementation of SuperSUN.

The adoption of green electricity generation represents a significant step towards a cleaner, more sustainable, and secure energy future. The National Electricity Company plays a vital role in preserving a healthy and balanced ecosystem by reducing the utilization of fossil fuels in power plants that support the reliability of the electricity system.

Currently, the types of New and Renewable Energy power plants already established in West Papua include Hydroelectric Power Plants, Solar Power Plants, and Micro Hydro Power Plants. SuperSUN is a micro solar power plant equipped with batteries.

Based on data up to March 2025, the National Electricity Company has successfully provided electricity to 893,007 customers in West Papua. Presently, the National Electricity Company can supply 495.8 MW of power, while the total electricity demand of all customers in West Papua reaches 338.6 MW.

As of 2024, the New and Renewable Energy mix in West Papua only reached 3.18 percent. The developed NRE power plants include one Orya Genyem Hydroelectric Power Plant in Jayapura Regency, four Micro Hydro Power Plants located in Jayawijaya Regency (Walesi and Sinagma, Fakfak Regency (Werba), and Pegunungan Arfak Regency (Anggi). Additionally, there are 123 Solar Power Plants and dozens of SuperSUN innovation units distributed across the remote areas throughout West Papua.

Electricity Supports Economic Growth

Uncen academician Kurniawan Patma stated that the National Electricity Company’s initiative to bring electricity to the remote areas in West Papua is not merely a technical innovation but a strategic leap in accelerating equitable economic development.

Access to electricity is a primary prerequisite for enhancing community productivity, unlocking new business opportunities, strengthening education and healthcare services, and supporting overall local economic growth. In numerous villages and communities in Papua, the arrival of electricity will mark the beginning of social and economic transformation. Communities previously reliant on traditional methods now have the opportunity to enter the digital economy and small-scale industrial ecosystem.

Moving forward, the presence of electricity must be accompanied by cross-sector collaboration. Regional governments, the private sector, and the community need to work together to leverage this energy to build village economic centers, locally-based SMEs, and support more modern and inclusive education and healthcare systems.

West Papua holds significant potential in its natural resources, culture, and human capital. With electricity reaching every village, we are igniting a flame of hope towards an independent, developed, and prosperous Papua.

Meanwhile, the Acting Governor of Papua Province, Ramses Limbong, affirmed that electricity infrastructure is a top priority program in Papua Province. He believes that the presence of electricity can reduce illiteracy rates and boost economic growth, ultimately improving family welfare.