PLN Brings Solar Power to 82 Remote Schools in West Sulawesi, Advancing Digital Learning in Indonesia’s 3T Regions

Hundreds of students in the remote areas of Mamasa Regency, West Sulawesi, are now experiencing a transformed learning environment as 82 schools in the region gain access to electricity through the government’s Village Electricity Program (Lisdes) implemented by PT PLN (Persero).

Of the total, 25 schools have been powered through SuperSUN, a clean energy innovation that integrates micro solar power plants (PLTS) with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), while 57 additional schools have been connected through PLN’s expanded power network. The initiative marks a major milestone in the effort to electrify Indonesia’s remote, frontier, and outermost (3T) regions.

Musa, a teacher at Sokbok 014 Elementary School, expressed deep gratitude for the arrival of electricity, calling it a “turning point” for education in the village.

“Thank you to PLN for helping with the installation of SuperSUN, which has greatly benefited the teaching and learning process. We can now use electronic media to make learning more interactive and enjoyable,” said Musa, visibly moved.

Delivering power to these areas was no easy task. PLN teams traveled 331 kilometers from Makassar to Mamasa, followed by 18.9 kilometers of rugged terrain to reach schools scattered across mountainous and muddy routes. In certain stretches where vehicles could not pass, PLN officers and residents carried 100 kilograms of solar panels for 9 kilometers by foot — a challenge that culminated in joy when the first lights illuminated classrooms.

On behalf of the local administration, Mamasa Regent Welem Sambolangi lauded PLN’s determination to bring sustainable power to rural schools.

“This electricity not only lights classrooms but also lays the foundation for school revitalization programs and accelerates digital learning in remote areas,” he stated.

PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo emphasized that electrifying schools is part of the national mission to ensure equitable energy access for all Indonesians.

“We want every Indonesian child, wherever they live, to have the right to learn under equal access to light. Bringing electricity to remote schools is about more than illumination — it’s about driving educational transformation and national development,” he said.

Meanwhile, Edyansyah, General Manager of PLN’s Main Distribution Unit for South Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, and West Sulawesi (UID Sulselrabar), highlighted that SuperSUN represents PLN’s commitment to renewable energy-based electrification.

“With SuperSUN, schools that previously lacked power can now benefit from clean electricity and digital technology access. This will significantly enhance the quality of education across the archipelago,” he noted.

By September 2025, PLN targets the installation of 1,500 SuperSUN units within the UID Sulselrabar operational area. To date, 503 schools have already gained access to electricity, signaling a new era of modern, inclusive, and sustainable education for Indonesia’s remote communities.