Jakarta – In welcoming the New Year 2024, the government, through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (EMR), has decided to maintain economic stability by setting a fixed electricity tariff for the first quarter 2024 for 13 non-subsidised customer groups.
This decision was announced by the Director General of Electricity, Jisman P. Hutajulu, in his official statement at the end of December. In his explanation, Hutajulu stated that this move is part of the government’s strategy in the electricity sector to support business competitiveness, maintain people’s purchasing power, and maintain a stable inflation rate in the new year.
“The electricity tariff for January to March 2024 has been decided to remain fixed to maintain the competitiveness of businesses, maintain people’s purchasing power, and maintain the inflation rate in the new year,” he said.
The determination of this electricity tariff is per the provisions stated in the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation Number 28 of 2016 juncto Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation Number 8 of 2023, in which tariff adjustments for non-subsidized customers are carried out every three months, referring to changes in macroeconomic parameters such as exchange rates, Indonesian Crude Price (ICP), inflation, and Reference Coal Prices (HBA).
Based on these provisions, the macroeconomic parameters for the first quarter 2024 include the realisation in August, September, and October 2023. The exchange rate in that period was IDR 15,446.85/USD, ICP was USD 86.49/barrel, inflation was 0.11%, and HBA was USD 70/ton following the DMO coal policy.
In addition, Hutajulu added that electricity tariffs for 25 subsidised customer groups are also unchanged and continue to receive electricity subsidies. These customers include social customers, poor households, small industries, and customers using electricity for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The government expects PLN to continue to be efficient in its operations and increase electricity sales more aggressively while maintaining the quality of services provided to the public. This decision is expected to provide certainty and stability in the electricity sector in early 2024, creating conditions that support economic growth and public welfare. (Hartatik)
