In a country of more than 17,000 islands, electrifying every village remains a monumental challenge—nowhere more so than in the remote, forest-covered highlands and coastal plains of Papua. But recent developments suggest that the Indonesian government is intensifying its efforts to close this glaring energy gap, with President-elect Prabowo Subianto making sweeping commitments and key ministries mobilizing resources to electrify even the most isolated villages.
Prabowo’s Pledge: A Fully Lit Indonesia by 2029
During a visit to Papua this week, Prabowo officiated the inauguration of a solar power plant (PLTS) in the province, marking what he called “a new chapter” in the government’s drive toward national energy equity. Speaking at the event, Prabowo boldly stated his administration’s target: to ensure that every village across Indonesia will have access to electricity within four years.
“The darkness in our villages is not just a matter of light—it is about justice, about opportunity,” Prabowo declared. “No Indonesian should live in the dark while others thrive in brightness.”
While Prabowo’s speech earned applause, it also drew attention to the enormous gaps that still exist, especially in Papua. As of mid-2025, government data confirms that at least 67 villages in Papua remain completely without electricity—many located in the so-called 3T regions (Frontier, Outermost, and Disadvantaged areas).
Spotlight on Mappi: A Case of Energy Injustice
The urgency of this problem was starkly illustrated by Mappi Regent Michael R. Gomar, who publicly appealed to the president over the limited and uneven electricity coverage in his regency. “Some of our residents live only 200 meters from transmission lines, yet they have no access to power,” Gomar lamented, underscoring the infrastructure inefficiencies and bureaucratic hurdles that continue to plague rural electrification.
His comments highlighted the paradox faced by many Papuan communities: physical proximity to power sources doesn’t always translate to functional access, due to poor coordination, inadequate grid extension, or lack of political will.
Expanding Solar: Clean Energy for Remote Villages
Amid these challenges, solar energy is emerging as a leading solution. The newly inaugurated PLTS is part of a broader initiative by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), in cooperation with PLN (Indonesia’s state electricity company) and regional governments, to deploy renewable microgrids in areas where traditional infrastructure is too expensive or difficult to build.
Acting Papua Governor Ridwan Rumasukun emphasized the practicality of renewables in remote areas: “Solar is scalable, fast to deploy, and reliable. For Papua’s terrain and dispersed populations, it’s not just an option—it’s the future.”
The Ministry of ESDM has committed to accelerating solar installations in 3T areas, while PLN reported that ongoing maintenance efforts across Papua have helped conserve millions of kilowatt-hours, improving both efficiency and reliability.
Challenges: Geography, Costs, and Coordination
While the ambition is high, experts caution that Papua presents unique logistical and environmental challenges. Much of the region is covered in dense jungle and mountainous terrain, making transportation of equipment costly and time-consuming. Additionally, limited local capacity for technical maintenance and spare parts can reduce the lifespan of solar infrastructure.
“Powering a village isn’t just about installing solar panels—it’s about sustaining them,” said an ESDM official. “That means community training, supply chains, and reliable governance.”
Another persistent issue is data accuracy. Discrepancies in the official number of unelectrified villages have made it harder to plan interventions. NGOs and local activists have called for greater transparency and participation from indigenous communities in energy planning.
The Bigger Picture: Electricity as a Catalyst for Development
Access to electricity has far-reaching implications for education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and digital inclusion. Electrified schools can extend study hours, clinics can power refrigeration for vaccines, and small businesses can grow through digital payments and online marketing.
The DPR (House of Representatives) has urged the Ministry of ESDM to make Papua a priority in the national roadmap, warning that failure to close the electricity gap would further entrench regional disparities.
“Electricity is the beginning,” said one lawmaker. “But behind it stands the promise of equality, of dignity, of national unity.”
Toward 2030: A Papua Fully Powered?
The Papua provincial government has set its own goal: to ensure that all 3T regions in the province are electrified by 2030. While this timeline is more conservative than Prabowo’s four-year national target, local officials see it as realistic and sustainable, especially given the topographical and logistical complexities of the island.
Cooperation between local governments, the private sector, and central ministries will be critical. Several initiatives are already underway to involve local contractors and community cooperatives in solar deployment and grid maintenance, turning villagers into stakeholders in their own electrification process.
Conclusion
The Indonesian government’s recent actions—backed by presidential commitment and multi-sector collaboration—signal a renewed focus on energy equity. But as Papua’s residents know all too well, promises must be matched by performance on the ground.
If Prabowo’s bold pledge is to be fulfilled, electrification in Papua must go beyond ceremonial ribbon-cuttings. It must mean real light in real homes—in classrooms, in clinics, in every corner of the archipelago’s eastern frontier. Only then will Indonesia truly be able to say it shines for all.
