PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - Electricity sales of PT PLN (Persero) West Java Distribution Main Unit in 2023 were recorded at 58.56 Giga Watt hour (GWh) or an increase of 4.12% compared to 2022.

PLN West Java Distribution Main Unit (PLN UID Jabar) noted that during the end of 2023 holiday, electricity consumption in the tourism sector in West Java showed positive performance.

General Manager of PLN UID West Java, Susiana Mutia, said that electricity consumption in the tourism sector, which consists of hotels and entertainment or tourist attractions, has increased compared to the same period last year.

In December 2023, electricity consumption in the hotel sector will reach 309.81 GWh, an increase of 10.50% from the previous electricity consumption of 280.36 GWh. Then, consumption in the tourist or entertainment sector was 19.78 GWh or an increase of 8.51%, which in 2022 will be 18.22 GWh. Likewise with Shopping Mall consumption of 1,303.29 GWh or an increase of 43.78% from 2022 of 906.47 GWh. In terms of income, total electricity sales from the hotel sector until December 2023 were IDR 352.07 billion, tourist and entertainment attractions IDR 23.15 billion and shopping malls IDR 1,517 billion.

According to Susiana, one of the factors for this growth is the long duration of school children's holidays which coincide with the Christmas and New Year holidays. This has caused accommodation occupancy and visits to tourist attractions in West Java to increase rapidly.

"Last month's school holidays were quite long, from mid-December to early January 2024, so PLN's electricity sales had quite an impact," he said.

Susiana appreciated the collaboration carried out by PLN personnel and all stakeholders regarding the growth in electricity consumption. According to him, this can further boost the economy of the people in West Java.

"The increase in electricity consumption for the hotel sector is good news for all of us, not just PLN. "Because this means that the community's economy and the tourism sector in West Java also continue to grow," he said.

Susiana added that the growth of the tourism sector was also followed by the entertainment sector or shopping centers, and the increase even increased significantly. Based on West Java PLN UID data, Shopping Mall electricity transactions in West Java in December 2023 amounted to 1,303.29 GWh or an increase of 43.78% Year on Year (YoY) compared to December 2022.

“Malls today are not only places to buy necessities. However, currently people consider malls as a refreshing place where they can walk or eat. "Therefore, during long holidays, many people also visit malls," he said.

During the Christmas 2023 and New Year 2024 holidays, West Java PLN UID has succeeded in maintaining electricity supply until the end of last year. (rdp*)