The homeland textile industry became the biggest supporter of electricity consumption in the first quarter of 2022 from national electricity consumption which reached 65.42 Terra Watt hour (TWh). In addition to the textile industry, the iron and steel industry also accounts for the largest electricity consumption. PT PLN (Persero) recorded an increase in electricity sales of 8.42% year on year (yoy) to 65.42 Terra Watt hour (TWh) in the first quarter of 2022. PLN's Executive Vice President of Corporate Communications and CSR, Agung Murdifi, said the increase in electricity sales was a signal that the economy was recovering. Community activities that are recovering encourage electricity consumption, especially from the industrial and retail sectors.

"PLN ensures that it will continue to provide the best electricity services to support community activities and restore the economy," said Agung, Tuesday (12/4/2022).

According to Agung, electricity consumption in the industrial sector in the first quarter of 2022 reached 21,953 Giga Watt hour (GWh). That figure is 33.56% of the total national consumption.

"Compared to March last year, consumption growth in the industrial sector was still 4 percent. However, this year it rose 16 percent," said Agung.

Among all sectors, said Agung, the textile industry contributed the most, namely 2.8 GWh or grew 14 percent in March this year. Meanwhile, the iron and steel sector was 2.01 GWh, up 10%. Meanwhile, the chemical industry grew 8% with a consumption of 1.6 GWh and the cement industry grew 7 percent with a consumption of 1.4 GWh.

The increase in electricity sales was followed by an increase in customer connected power. In March 2022, the number reached 153,744 Mega Volt Ampere (MVA) or grew 11.28% compared to last year.

Agung continued, several efforts were made by PLN to increase the use of electricity in the industrial sector. One of them is through captive power acquisition, which is a form of PLN service support in fulfilling electricity supply for industrial customers who still operate their own power plants.

Through this service, customers who have captive power can stop operating their power plants and fully entrust their electricity supply to PLN. That way, customers can focus more on their business development affairs and are no longer busy in operating their own power plants.

Agung emphasized that PLN was continuously trying to find new market gaps. A number of sectors are now being targeted by PLN, such as agriculture, animal husbandry, plantations and fisheries, as well as marine. "We are developing electrifying agriculture and electrifying marine," said Agung.

PLN is also campaigning for a new lifestyle, namely an electrifying lifestyle through the use of low-emission and environmentally friendly electronic equipment. In addition, PLN also runs a number of programs that provide convenience for customers, such as discounts on the cost of adding electricity and the convenience of new installation services.

According to Agung, customers can enjoy various service facilities through the PLN Mobile application. After being launched on December 18, 2020, more than 27 million users have registered on the PLN Mobile application with a satisfaction level of 4.8 out of 5.