MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - The North Sumatra Provincial Government is strengthening cooperation with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) and PT PLN (Persero) Unit Induk Distribusi Sumatera Utara to accelerate the implementation of the Rural Electrification Program (Listrik Perdesaan/Lisdes). The program is a strategic government initiative aimed at expanding electricity access to remote areas while achieving a 100 percent electrification rate.
The strengthened coordination took place during a meeting to align proposed locations for the Lisdes program, support land preparation, and resolve licensing issues. The meeting was held on October 7, 2026, at the PLN Unit Induk Distribusi Sumatera Utara office auditorium on Jalan Yos Sudarso in Medan. The two-day forum brought together representatives from 33 regencies and cities across North Sumatra.
The meeting also involved various relevant agencies, including the Forestry Agency, Environmental Agency, and the Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Agency/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN). The involvement of multiple institutions is part of efforts to address various issues that could hinder the expansion of the electricity network, particularly those involving land, forest areas, environmental matters, and permits.
Electricity as a Driver of Prosperity
Acting Provincial Secretary of North Sumatra Timur Tumanggor said the government must regard electricity availability as a basic necessity with far-reaching impacts on people's lives. Electricity is not only needed to illuminate households but also creates opportunities for economic development, supports educational activities, and contributes to improving people's welfare in the regions.
"Regardless of the existing difficulties, obstacles and challenges—whether due to difficult-to-access locations, protected forest areas or conservation areas—administrative issues must not prevent electricity from reaching our villages. This is our moral responsibility and our primary duty as public servants," Timur Tumanggor emphasized.
Timur said the North Sumatra Energy and Mineral Resources Agency had currently received 117 proposed locations for the Lisdes program. Of these, 47 locations are spread across five regencies designated as priority areas, namely Nias, North Nias, West Nias, South Nias and Mandailing Natal.
According to Timur, the regional government, ministry, PLN and all other stakeholders must use the coordination forum to resolve every issue encountered in the field. He particularly encouraged participants to take part in the coaching clinic held during the event so that administrative and licensing issues could be resolved quickly.
Removing these various obstacles is essential to ensure that electricity network development at the proposed locations can proceed as planned. The North Sumatra Provincial Government is targeting electricity access at several of these locations to be realized in 2027.
Timur also stressed that the government must not allow administrative issues to prevent people from accessing electricity services. Therefore, inter-agency coordination must function effectively, from site planning through the implementation of construction work in the field.
REMOVING ADMINISTRATIVE AND LICENSING BARRIERS: Acting Provincial Secretary of North Sumatra Timur Tumanggor emphasizes the importance of removing administrative and licensing barriers so that electricity services can reach communities in remote areas. (PHOTO: Imam Syahputra)
Electrification Rate Reaches 99.86 Percent
Andriah Feby Misna, Director of Electricity Development at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, said North Sumatra's electrification rate had already reached 99.86 percent. The figure indicates that the vast majority of the population has access to electricity. At the same time, the government continues to face challenges in providing electricity to remote and difficult-to-reach areas.
Feby said the central government would continue to prioritize full electrification in remote regions. The government is targeting a national electrification rate of 100 percent by 2029.
"In 2026, there are 106 locations for Lisdes networks in North Sumatra, spread across 23 regencies and cities. Around 44 percent, or 47 locations, are in the Nias Islands and Mandailing Natal areas. The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is pursuing three main strategies: expanding the distribution network (Grid), constructing communal solar power plants (PLTS Komunal), and developing individual solar power systems (PLTS Individual)," Feby said.
These strategies allow the government to adapt electricity supply solutions to the geographical conditions of each region. Distribution network expansion can be an option for areas that can be connected to the existing electricity grid. Meanwhile, communal and individual photovoltaic systems can serve as alternatives for regions where access to the electricity network is limited.
Feby also called on regency and city governments to provide comprehensive support for the implementation of the Lisdes program. This includes providing and facilitating road access to construction sites, ensuring accurate coordinate data, and resolving permits for the use of forest areas if network development involves such land.
In addition, regional governments must inform communities about the so-called Right of Way (ROW). This step is important to ensure that distribution network construction proceeds smoothly and to prevent issues related to land use or compensation payments.
Early coordination during the planning stage is expected to make electricity network construction more efficient. Clear regulations regarding land status and permits will also help PLN begin construction more quickly once projects enter the construction phase.
EXPANDING ELECTRICITY ACCESS: Andriah Feby Misna, Director of Electricity Development at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, explains strategies for expanding electricity access through distribution networks as well as communal and individual solar power systems. (PHOTO: Imam Syahputra)
PLN Ready for Implementation
The General Manager of PT PLN (Persero) Unit Induk Distribusi Sumatera Utara, Rizky Mochamad, reaffirmed PLN's readiness to build the Lisdes program infrastructure in the field. In his view, the success of construction work depends not only on technical preparations but also on clear permits and secured access to project locations.
PLN needs support from regional governments to ensure these requirements are fulfilled before construction begins. Coordination with local communities is also crucial because the construction of electricity lines may involve the use of community-owned land and property.
"The success of a village electrification program is not measured solely by how many poles and lines are installed, but by how many people ultimately receive electricity and experience its tangible benefits. We need the cooperation and support of regional governments in providing land, securing permits and carrying out social coordination," Rizky said.
Rizky emphasized that the development of electricity infrastructure must focus on its concrete benefits for the community. PLN therefore aims not merely to increase the number of electricity poles and lines installed but to ensure that the infrastructure actually provides reliable electricity services to people in the targeted areas.
Cooperation among the North Sumatra Provincial Government, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, PLN, regency and city governments, and other relevant technical agencies is a decisive factor in accelerating the program. Each stakeholder has a responsibility to ensure that locations, land, permits, access roads and community conditions are properly prepared for infrastructure development.
The Lisdes program is also highly significant for people who have so far had limited access to energy. Electricity availability can make daily household activities easier, expand learning opportunities for children, increase business productivity, and create new economic opportunities in villages and remote areas.
The North Sumatra Provincial Government hopes that the coordination carried out during the meeting will produce concrete steps to resolve problems at each proposed location. This is intended to ensure that electricity network development does not stop at the proposal stage but continues until communities actually receive reliable and sustainable electricity services.
This will also strengthen the government's commitment to achieving a 100 percent electrification rate. The government aims to ensure that no one in North Sumatra is left behind in accessing electricity, particularly people living in remote areas, on islands, in border regions, and in areas with challenging geographical conditions. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala