Electricity is more than just an essential utility—it is a foundation of modern life, enabling education, economic activity, public services, and community wellbeing. In the rugged and often remote province of Papua Tengah, Indonesia, providing reliable and continuous electrical power has long been a challenge. The district of Intan Jaya, in particular, faced chronic shortages and limited daily electricity supply for many years. However, recent developments show a strong and coordinated effort between the Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat/DPR Papua Tengah (Regional Parliament of Central Papua Province) and PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), Indonesia’s state-owned electricity provider, to transform this reality and ensure that communities in Intan Jaya can enjoy 24-hour electricity access.
This article explores the ongoing coordination mechanisms, key agreements, community impacts, and the broader significance of this energy milestone within Papua’s development context.
Why Electricity Matters in Intan Jaya
Intan Jaya is one of the more remote regencies in Papua Tengah, known for its mountainous terrain and scattered settlements. For much of its history, the community relied on limited power generation sources such as private or government-operated generators, and local off-grid solutions that only provided a fraction of day-long access. Most residents experienced electricity for about 12 hours per day, typically limited to morning and evening periods, which constrained economic activities, restricted educational opportunities for students after dark, and limited the effectiveness of health and administrative services.
In response, local leaders and national stakeholders launched a coordinated effort to transform this situation by engaging with PLN and ensuring that the power supply infrastructure in Intan Jaya ultimately supports 24-hour electricity for residents. This initiative illustrates how strategic cooperation between legislative representatives and national utility companies can drive transformative infrastructure outcomes in previously underserved regions.
Parliamentary Involvement: DPR Papua Tengah’s Role
The Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Papua Tengah (Papua Tengah DPR) has played an active role in advocating for improved electricity services in Intan Jaya. In a recent visit to the PLN office by members of DPR Papua Tengah—such as legislator Henes Sondegau—the importance of coordinated action was reiterated. During this meeting, they discussed the progress of electricity supply and the need to increase “jam nyala listrik” (hours of electricity) beyond the current 12-hour service to match other regions in Indonesia.
Representatives from DPR Papua Tengah emphasized that sustainable, round-the-clock electricity is integral not only to household comfort but also to long-term development goals, including:
- Education: Students can study after sunset and use electronic learning tools effectively.
- Health: Medical facilities become more reliable when power is available continuously.
- Economy: Small businesses and local enterprises depend on electricity for operations and growth.
The presence of DPR Papua Tengah members in meetings with PLN underscores the legislature’s commitment to ensure that policies and investments reflect the community’s needs.
PLN’s Strategic Actions and Agreements
PLN has taken concrete steps to transition Intan Jaya from limited to extended service. Earlier in the year, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the local government and PLN’s Unit Pelaksana Proyek Kelistrikan (UP2K) Papua Tengah, marking a shift in how electricity infrastructure would be managed. Under this agreement, PLN began to take over the operation and maintenance of local power systems, which previously were managed by the local government.
The infrastructure covered in the transition included generators, medium-voltage and low-voltage networks, and distribution substations. By transferring operational responsibility to PLN, the coordination effort empowered the utility to plan upgrades and align local electricity systems with national grid standards and reliability expectations.
Despite this progress, current operations in the Sugapa area—the regency’s capital—still deliver only around 12 hours of electricity per day, largely due to existing infrastructure limitations and fuel-dependent generation methods. However, PLN officials have reiterated their commitment to extending service hours by collaborating closely with government partners to upgrade facilities and secure necessary support for long-term solutions.
From 12 to 24 Hours: The Transition
The transition from 12-hour power to 24-hour electricity availability represents a major milestone. As of September 2025, reports show that residents of Intan Jaya’s Sugapa have begun to enjoy continuous 24-hour access to electricity, following a formal Serah Terima Operasi (STO)—handover ceremony that transferred control of electrical operations to PLN. This event marked a symbolic and practical shift, as it enabled PLN to manage all aspects of generation, distribution, and network maintenance.
Local authorities, including Bupati (District Head) Aner Maisini, expressed deep appreciation for this new development, emphasizing that electrification supports both social and economic progress. Bupati Maisini highlighted that the service improvement would not only light homes at night but also serve as a catalyst for educational advancement, improved public services, and overall quality of life.
While the transition is already delivering benefits, stakeholders acknowledge that ongoing efforts are necessary to ensure sustainability. This includes maintaining infrastructure, securing fuel supplies, exploring renewable energy integration such as solar installations, and continuing dialogue between DPR Papua Tengah, PLN, and relevant agencies.
Community Impact and Long-Term Benefits
Access to reliable, continuous electricity fundamentally alters everyday life in Intan Jaya. Beyond lighting homes, it affects almost every aspect of community life:
- Education and Digital Connectivity
For students, consistent power means the ability to study and use educational technology after dark, a significant improvement over previous conditions where activity was limited to daylight hours. Electrification also enables better internet access and digital learning tools, which are critical for bridging educational divides in remote regions.
- Healthcare Services
Healthcare facilities benefit considerably from round-the-clock electricity. Reliable power means that medical equipment, vaccine storage, and emergency services can operate without interruption. This improvement enhances overall public health resilience, particularly in areas where medical resources are already stretched.
- Economic Growth and Business Development
Electricity is a key driver of economic activity. Small business owners, artisans, and local entrepreneurs are now better positioned to extend operating hours, use electrical equipment, and expand their market reach. Continuous electricity also attracts small investments and supports service sectors such as retail and hospitality.
Challenges and Ongoing Frameworks
Despite these promising developments, several challenges remain. Extending full 24-hour electricity to more rural corners of Intan Jaya requires additional infrastructure investment, careful maintenance planning, and alignment with regional development priorities. Security and transportation challenges in certain areas also affect project execution, underscoring the importance of cross-sector collaboration.
To address these issues, DPR Papua Tengah continues to act as a bridge between local needs and national strategic planning, advocating for legislative support and funding where necessary. Meanwhile, PLN remains engaged in enhancing grid capacity, network reliability, and operational oversight to meet service expectations.
Regional Development Goals and Strategic Vision
The collaboration between DPR Papua Tengah and PLN reflects a broader strategic vision for Papua’s development within Indonesia’s national agenda. Electrification is part of a suite of initiatives—alongside improvements in roads, education, housing, and public services—that together aim to foster sustainable growth across the province. Papua Tengah’s leadership emphasizes that ensuring equitable energy access is a fundamental aspect of regional development and national cohesion.
Conclusion
The ongoing cooperation between DPR Papua Tengah and PT PLN demonstrates how effective coordination and shared commitment can achieve transformative infrastructure outcomes. From years of limited power access to the milestone of 24-hour electricity in Sugapa and surrounding areas, this journey exemplifies the impact of sustained engagement between government representatives and state utility providers.
As Intan Jaya’s communities continue to benefit from enhanced electrical services, the broader implications extend far beyond lights and appliances. Access to continuous power supports education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and community resilience—paving the way for a more prosperous and connected future in one of Papua Tengah’s most remote regions.