REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TIMIKA -- The State Electricity Company of Papua and West Papua (PLN WP2B) regions is developing hydro and solar potentials for electricity power plant in hinterlands of Papua, which most of the region are out of electricity grid.

The General Manager of PLN WP2B, John Sukrislismono, here on Friday said PLN is determined to increase the electrification ratio in Papua and West Papua through the program which called "Papua Terang".

Through the program, he said, it is expected within the next five years about 80 percent of the villages (in Papua and West Papua) will be electrified.

Currently, the numbers of electrified villages in both provinces are only about 25 percent.

"We are looking for an alternative energy to be developed in the interior of Papua. It can be solar, or hydro potentials for micro-hydro power plant. If the potential capacity is large, we will build a hydropower plant. We can also build diesel plants if there is no alternative energy," said Sukrislismono.

PLN calls the people to preserve the forests, particularly those living in the headwaters potential areas for micro-hydro power plants.

"We have done an initial survey on hydro power that shows a great potential. After the equipment is installed, which took two to three years, the environment changed due rapid sedimentation process. It is not good as it disrupt the operational of the power plant," he said.

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