President Joko Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla lead a limited meeting focused on the the 35,000 megawatt project at the Presidential Office in Jakarta on Wednesday (22/06). (State Palace Press Photo/Laily)

Jakarta. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has instructed ministers to prioritize the government's 35,000-megawatt power project to benefit those regions that are still lacking adequate electricity supply.

The president called the meeting on Wednesday (22/06) to follow up on his working visit to electricity projects in several regions, where he underlined his priority of utilizing mobile power plants or marine vessel power plants.

"I have seen the conditions in the field – related to our electricity infrastructure – in several provinces, such as Bangka Belitung, Aceh, West Kalimantan, Gorontalo, West Nusa Tenggara and Bali. Based on that, I emphasize the need to prioritize these areas that are still lacking [electricity] supply," Jokowi said, as quoted in a statement.

The president also called for a recalculation of the electrified regions by adding economic growth, current needs, along with public and industry demand.

"Meanwhile for the areas overflowing with [electricity] supplies, direct them to convert to new and renewable energy," Jokowi said.

Abandoned Projects

The president has also committed the government to complete long-abandoned electricity projects, such as the one in West Kalimantan – which has been idle for more than seven years despite Rp 1.5 trillion ($113 million) having been spent on it.

"In Gorontalo, for example, it started in 2007, meaning that it has been eight years. Work on the 2 x 25 MW [project] was stopped after only 47 percent completion," Jokowi said.

Nevertheless, he said another calculation was needed to decide whether the projects should be continued or not.

"This is the state's money; our assets. If it is continued, then a cutoff time is needed first for the calculations to be clear," Jokowi said. He added that private sector companies should be given a bigger role – mainly in the new and renewable energy sectors.

"I prioritize geothermal, and also hydro [energy]," he said.

Following the meeting, Jokowi received members of the National Energy Board to urge them to focus on boosting clean energy and energy conservation as part of the national general planning.

The general planning is a guideline for the central and regional governments, state-owned enterprises and related stakeholders to cooperate on future national energy infrastructure development.