Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Indonesia’s state-owned electricity company, PLN, will provide a 50% discount on electricity tariffs for eligible customers from January to February 2025. The initiative aims to ease financial pressures on households following the scheduled increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate to 12%.
The program was announced by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, during a press conference outlining the government’s economic stimulus package ahead of the 12% VAT hike set to take effect on January 2025.
PLN CEO Darmawan Prasodjo highlighted the role of the company’s digitalized customer service system in ensuring smooth implementation of the discount program.
“Thanks to our digitalized customer service system, eligible customers will automatically receive the 50% discount during the January-February 2025 period,” Darmawan said in an official statement on Monday, December 23.
Eligible customers were those with electricity capacity ranging from 450 VA to 2,200 VA. The program applies to both prepaid and postpaid customers. Beneficiaries will not need to register or apply, as the discount will be automatically applied during the period, between January to February 2025.
PLN detailed that for postpaid customers, the discount will be reflected in their electricity bills for January and February. While the prepaid customers will see the discount applied when purchasing electricity tokens during the same period.
However, PLN clarified that there would be restrictions to prevent stockpiling of discounted electricity tokens. The maximum token purchase eligible for the 50% discount is capped based on 720 hours of electricity usage per month, according to CNN Indonesia.
Details of the Monthly Discount Limits per Electricity Capacity:
- 450 VA:
- Maximum purchase equivalent to 720 hours: 324 kWh
- Electricity rate: Rp415/kWh
- Maximum discount: Rp67,230 (50% of Rp134,460)
- 900 VA:
- Maximum purchase equivalent to 720 hours: 648 kWh
- Electricity rate: Rp1,352/kWh.
- Maximum discount: Rp438,048 (50% of Rp876,096)
- 1,300 VA:
- Maximum purchase equivalent to 720 hours: 936 kWh
- Electricity rate: IDR 1,444.70/kWh
- Maximum discount: Rp676,119 (50% of Rp1.35 million)
- 2,200 VA:
- Maximum purchase equivalent to 720 hours: 1,584 kWh
- Electricity rate: Rp1,444.70/kWh
- Maximum discount: Rp1.14 million (50% of Rp2.28 million)
Indonesia Offer 50% Electricity Rate Discount Ahead 12% VAT Increase 2025, Here’s The Requirement
To maximize the benefits of the 50% discount program, prepaid customers are advised to purchase tokens according to their needs, while postpaid customers should monitor their January and February bills to ensure the discount is applied correctly.
The 50% electricity discount program is expected to provide significant relief to households amid the economic pressures stemming from the VAT increase.
(Raidi/Agung)