Jakarta. West Sumatra Governor Mahyeldi Ansharullah has praised state utility firm PLN’s post-disaster power recovery efforts as the company seeks to normalize the electricity networks. 

Floods and landslides have hit Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, thereby disrupting power supplies. As electricity recovery gets underway, the customer power-up rates have reached 99.8 percent in West Sumatra as of Dec. 2, according to PLN.

Governor Mahyeldi said that people’s activities could return to normal thanks to PLN’s work.

"If God is willing, we can completely restore the power system. This way, activities can return to normal,” Mahyeldi told PLN’s directors on Monday.

PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo emphasized that the network restoration had become the company’s top priority. PLN will also deploy all its resources.

"We continue to work 24/7 in the field to ensure that all affected areas immediately receive electricity. Our focus is one: the community can resume their activities as quickly as possible," Darmawan said.

Ajrun Karim, General Manager of PLN's West Sumatra Main Distribution Unit (UID), attributed the power recovery to the collaborative efforts between various stakeholders.

"The local government, the regional disaster management agency, military and police forces, as well as other stakeholders, have helped us speed up the stabilization of electricity in West Sumatra," said Ajrun.

The disasters had triggered a power outage for 270,148 customers, but PLN has so far restored electricity for 268,853 customers. The recovery will gradually expand to other regions, although this will depend on the terrain conditions. PLN also wants to ensure safe access for its personnel.

PLN is also distributing humanitarian aid through disaster posts in disaster-hit areas. The aid includes ready-to-eat meals, clean water, blankets, medicine, and other basic necessities to ease the burden.

PLN also urges the public to remain vigilant for potential electrical hazards after the disaster and to immediately report any network risks via the PLN Mobile app or the PLN 123 Contact Center.

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