Electric vehicle infrastructure: EV charging stations reach remote areas of South Sulawesi
This article has been translated by PwC Indonesia as part of our Indonesia Infrastructure News Service. PwC Indonesia has not checked the accuracy of, and accepts no responsibility for the content.
Bisnis Indonesia - Infrastruktur kendaraan listrik: SPKLU menjangkau pelosok Sulbagsel
28 March 2023
By: Nugroho Nafika Kassa
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure provision in South Sulawesi has reached inter-province locations in the area.
Electric vehicle public charging stations (SPKLUs) are currently available in Palopo City in South Sulawesi and Kolaka Regency in Southeast Sulawesi, where most of the mobility occur along the Trans-Sulawesi route.
PT PLN (Persero) South Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, and West Sulawesi Main Distribution Unit (UID) General Manager Mochammad Andy Adchaminoerdin revealed that SPKLU provision was a manifestation of the commitment of the company to support energy transition, especially in the battery electric vehicle ecosystem.
According to him, the operation of Palopo SPKLU that has a capacity of 1x50 kilowatts (KW) and is fitted with the fast-charging technology is expected to provide a multiplier effect on regional economy, especially on tourism.
Specifically in Palopo, he added that the infrastructure’s provision was accompanied by a green tourism campaign that facilitates travellers to enjoy the destination with electric vehicles and accommodations that have adopted the renewable energy concept.
“Moreover, several hotels in Palopo have the renewable energy certificate. Electric vehicles and cafes with electric equipment,” he said on Monday (27/3).
He explained that, in West Sulawesi UID, PLN was targeting to operate 11 SPKLUs by the end of 2023.
The SPKLUs are planned to be provided in major cities and regencies, such as Makassar, Parepare, Palopo, Kendari, Kolaka, Bulujumba, Watampone, North Kolaka, and North Konawe.
He added that these SPKLUs were expected to improve the interest of citizens in using electric vehicles that are more eco-friendly.
“Palopo SPKLU is good news for us all as they will reduce the reliance on fuel. I hope that it can be beneficial for citizens in Palopo City,” he said.
Palopo SPKLU does not only benefit the people in the city, but it also benefits the people in the surrounding areas, such as North Toraja Regency.
An electric vehicle user in North Toraja Regency, Tommi Ahmad, welcomes the SPKLU in Palopo City.
Tommi, who usually travels from North Toraja to Palopo for business, is no longer worried if he wants to use his electric vehicle.
Tommi sees that SPKLUs can reduce his spending.
“These SPKLUs are a breath of fresh air for us who often travel for business to Palopo City that shares borders with North Toraja. We are no longer worried to use electric vehicles, and we can also save money compared to if we use conventional cars,” he explained.
SPKLU construction in Sulawesi commenced in 2021 with the first inauguration conducted at PLN Mattoanging Local Service Unit (ULP) Office in Makassar City.
Then, construction was accelerated in the following year with the construction of four SPKLUs in 2022.
The SPKLUs are located in PLN South Makassar Customer Service Implementation Unit (UP3) Office, South Sulawesi Governor Office (Makassar), PLN Parepare UP3 Office, and PLN ULP Wuawua Office (Kendari).
This year, PLN is planning to construct 6 more SPKLUs.
At the start of 2023, PLN realised two of the six planned SPKLUs, namely Palopo SPKLU and Kolaka SPKLU.
This means that, until March 2023, PLN has realised the construction of seven SPKLUs in West Sulawsi. Eleven SPKLUs are planned to operate at the end of 2023.
PLN is planning to construct more SPKLUs in four regencies, namely Bulukumba, Bone, North Kolaka, and North Konawe.
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