Abstract
Access to power is crucial in bridging digital connections to increase development inclusivity. This chapter focuses on the issue of power provision in 3T area in MPNT provinces shows that the potential for progress is incremental. Short and medium-term targets will likely be indicative due to the severity of the challenges. Looking at the demands for inclusive development, strengthening digital connectivity and economic transformation, providing optimum access to power in these provinces, remains a strategic option. Several strategic efforts to optimize the provision include structural aspects, partnerships, and local government support. Implementing the roadmap for developing local renewable energy sources and collaborating between institutions is essential. As a region full of development agendas, the issue of providing power access in the 3T area in the MPNT region requires more assertive political alignment. These conditions can provide added value for improving welfare while supporting digital-based economic startups.
TopIntroduction
Indonesia is the largest archipelagic country with more than 17,000 islands and a population of over 260 million. Indonesia's economic growth during the last 20 years has helped reduce poverty and positioned the country as the fifth largest economy worldwide (https://pwc.to/3gxMDEM). Indonesia's islands have significant potential for tourism, fishing, and other important economic sectors. The limited availability of energy resources hinders their economic and social progress. Having electricity access is essential for narrowing the digital divide, enabling digital connectivity, and enhancing socio-economic well-being (ITU, 2023; KPPN/Bappenas, 2022; Houngbonon et al., 2021; The World Bank, 2021). Therefore, achieving digital connectivity may be difficult if the problem of power access continues. Power access is crucial in eliminating spatial imbalances, promoting local economic growth, and fulfilling the state's responsibility to safeguard people's rights (Alper & Miktus, 2019; Padam et al., 2018). This idea is also applicable to several rural and remote areas of Indonesia. A report states that out of the 83,441 villages in all village classifications, 83,148 villages (99.65%) have been given access to power (Electricity Directorate General MEMR, 2021). This means that, although there has been improvement, a small proportion of the overall population, 0.35% or 293 villages, still do not have access to power. By analyzing the specific conditions that affect the challenges faced in providing power access in rural areas (PT PLN, 2021), it is evident that these 293 villages are located in a frontier, outermost, underdeveloped area, known as the 3T areas (Terdepan, Terluar, Tertinggal). Therefore, the importance of providing reliable and affordable power to these villages, which is crucial for achieving digital connectivity, cannot be underestimated.
The provision of electricity in rural areas presents substantial challenges, encompassing both technical and socio-economic aspects. The issues stem from the geographical features of the areas and the uneven population distribution (Mursanti & Tumiwa, 2019; ITU, 2023). In addition, the problem is exacerbated by the socio-cultural setting and inadequate infrastructure (Schmidt et al., 2013; Mursanti & Tumiwa, 2019); BPS-Statistics Indonesia, 2023b; Setyowati, 2020). Moreover, the problems in these areas are intensified by societal opposition to the procurement of land for power infrastructure (PT PLN, 2021). This fact highlights the issue of power availability in 3T areas, particularly the importance of closing the gap in digital access, enhancing connection in rural areas, boosting the growth of the information society, and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the context of Indonesia, there are two main issues: the availability of primary power supply, mainly for lighting, and the problem of insufficient power (Mursanti & Tumiwa, 2019; ITU, 2023; PT PLN, 2021). Furthermore, analyzing the correlation between power access to households in rural areas and the possibility of an increase in households’ income strengthens the progress towards achieving the digital connectivity, ultimately contributing to the fulfillment of Indonesia's SDGs (Mursanti & Tumiwa, 2019).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Rural Areas: Rural places characterized by their remote locations, whether they are islands or mainland, and their isolation is a result of poor infrastructure, lack of government presence, and budget constraints, among other limitations.
Structural Initiative: The government's political initiative, which aims to establish a comprehensive legal and institutional framework, as well as allocate state budget, and other resources to enforce government’s authoritative coercive power over individuals, and legal and economic entities.
Electricity Access: Universal access to electricity for meeting the basic lighting, socio-cultural, and economic requirements of individuals and households, hence improving their quality of life.
Inclusive Development: Equitable and inclusive conditions that ensure equal opportunity for all individuals, regardless of their socio-cultural and economic background, in both physical and non-physical development processes.
Digital Connectivity: The integration of human interaction and communication through digital telecommunications equipment, which has profound and far-reaching ramifications for all aspects of human life, both economically and socio-culturally.
Socio-Economic Development: Comprehensive progress of a society in terms of both social and economic aspects, with the goal of attaining the furthest level of human development and ensuring the overall welfare of the nation and its citizens.
Digital Economy: Economic activities that make use of ICT advancements, involving extensive activities and several players, business operations, devices, data, and electronic processes, and they are also not confined within the sovereignty of a single state.
Reliable and Affordable Power Access: Access to adequate, superior, cost-effective, and lawful electricity, which can enable each person or family to fulfill essential lighting, socio-cultural, and economic requirements, and an improved standard of living.