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Bisnis Indonesia - Sistem kelistrikan Riau: Proyek kabel bawah laut dikebut
11 June 2025
By Arif Gunawan
Riau Provincial Government and PLN have committed to accelerating the construction of undersea power cables to connect strategic islands, ensuring a unified electricity system across the region.
Governor Abdul Wahid stated that the Riau electricity infrastructure project for island areas was initially targeted for completion in 2027, but the timeline has now been advanced to 2026.
PLN will build undersea power cables to Rupat Island, Bengkalis, and the Rangsang and Mendung areas in Meranti Islands. This initiative reflects strong collaboration with the central government to accelerate equitable electricity distribution in island regions, Wahid explained on Tuesday (10/6).
The governor emphasised that Riau's electricity infrastructure project aims to integrate island electricity systems with Sumatra’s main grid, eliminating the need for diesel generators or isolated electricity systems. This will unify Riau’s power supply under one main grid.
The high-voltage network, ranging from 150 KVA in Bengkalis to 500 KVA in other locations, is expected to strengthen electricity supply and boost investment in Riau. With electricity demand growing by 14 percent and energy consumption increasing by 8 percent, Wahid believes this project will drive economic growth, targeting Riau’s economy to expand by over 5 percent this year.
PLN’s Director of Distribution, Adi Priyanto, reaffirmed that Riau's electricity infrastructure development is a direct response to regional aspirations previously submitted to the central government. He noted that connecting island electricity networks is a crucial part of PLN’s national energy mission.
Adi confirmed that the Dumai–Bengkalis and Siak–Rangsang electricity transmission projects are already planned and in progress. The power cable to Bengkalis is scheduled for completion in mid-2027, while the transmission to Pakning in Bengkalis is expected to be finished by December 2025.
In Bengkalis Island, generators are no longer sufficient to support economic growth, making transmission infrastructure a priority. Meanwhile, for Rangsang Island, PLN is building transmission lines from Siak.
Governor Wahid added that Riau’s medium-term target is to ensure full electrification across all villages, including remote areas, by 2027. However, he urged PLN to accelerate progress.
"If possible, let us ensure electricity reaches every community, down to the neighbourhood level, even before 2027," Wahid stressed.
He underlined that universal access to electricity is a top priority for Riau Provincial Government, essential for inclusive economic growth. Without electricity, he warned, economic expansion would stagnate, as investors require stable energy supply to operate. Increased investment will create jobs, boost local government revenue (PAD), and reduce socio-economic risks.
This strategic electricity project aligns with the national mission to achieve full electrification across Indonesia by 2029. However, Riau remains optimistic about reaching 100 percent electricity access ahead of the national target. Currently, Riau’s electrification ratio stands at 95 percent.
Data from Riau’s Public Information and Documentation Office (PPID) shows that electrification rates vary across Riau’s 12 regencies and cities. The lowest electrification level is in Meranti Islands (62.06 percent), while Pekanbaru has already reached 100 percent.
Asep Riyadi, Head of the Riau Statistics Agency (BPS), reported that Riau’s economy grew by 4.65 percent year-on-year (yoy) in the first quarter of 2025, but contracted by 0.29 percent compared to the previous quarter.
He stated that Riau’s largest economic driver is the manufacturing sector, which contributed 1.68 percentage points to overall 4.65 percent economic growth, followed by the agricultural sector, which contributed 1.36 percentage points.
Spatially, Riau’s economy in the first quarter of 2025 ranked second in Java and sixth nationally in terms of regional GDP, accounting for 5.16 percent of Indonesia’s total GDP.
Crucial
The Riau Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) highlighted the urgent need to improve electricity infrastructure, particularly in island regions such as Bengkalis Island, to support business continuity across industrial, trade, services, and SME sectors.
Riau Kadin Executive Director Kholis Romli noted that past prolonged blackouts resulted in soaring operational costs for businesses.
"Industries and hotels rely on generators for emergencies, but these are not designed for continuous operation. When electricity outages persist, operational costs can increase by up to 300 percent," he explained.
Power disruptions also significantly impact SMEs and businesses dependent on digital transactions and internet connectivity, weakening their competitiveness in island and frontier areas.
Romli stressed that while these regions have strong economic potential, their growth depends on reliable energy infrastructure.
Riau Kadin urged PLN to prioritise electricity network improvements and maintenance, acknowledging that businesses will strive for cost efficiency, but excessive energy costs remain a challenge.
The organisation also called on the government to implement concrete solutions to ensure a competitive business environment, particularly as Riau targets continued economic growth.
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