Lecturer from Polman Negeri Babel Presents Regional Energy Potential During Discussion on Electricity Bill at UBB
Enggar Hero Istoto, M.En., a lecturer at the Bangka Belitung State Polytechnic (Polman Negeri Babel), presenting material on regional energy potential—offered as academic input for the deliberation of the Electricity Bill—before Commission XII of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) and attendees at Bangka Belitung University.
The contribution of higher education institutions to national policy formulation was highlighted once again as lecturers from the Bangka Belitung State Manufacturing Polytechnic (Polman Babel) presented ideas and scholarly analyses during a legislative working visit by Commission XII of the House of Representatives (DPR RI). The visit, held at Bangka Belitung University on Wednesday (July 8, 2026), focused on deliberations regarding the Electricity Bill.
Attendees included the Deputy Directors (II and III) and lecturers of Polman Babel; members of Commission XII DPR RI; representatives from the Directorate General of Electricity (Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources), PT PLN (Persero), PT Pertamina (Persero), and the Bangka Belitung Islands Provincial Government; as well as various energy sector stakeholders. The event served as a forum to gather aspirations and academic input aimed at refining national electricity regulations.
Bambang Patijaya, M.M., of Commission XII DPR RI, delivered opening remarks noting that drafting the Electricity Bill requires policy insights capable of addressing future challenges—particularly in energy technology. He emphasized that this regulation is crucial for supporting economic growth and that the intelligent contributions of academics—including lecturers from Polman Babel and Bangka Belitung University—are essential to ensure the resulting law truly benefits the public.
Bambang explained that this legislative visit covered three regions—South Sulawesi, Lampung, and the Bangka Belitung Islands—selected because they possess significant energy potential while also facing challenges that require attention during the formulation of national policy.
"As a representative for the Bangka Belitung constituency, I naturally want to make the best possible contribution to my own region. Bangka Belitung's potential must be integrated into the development of the national energy sector," he said.
During the discussion session, Enggar Hero Istoto, M.En., a lecturer at Polman Babel, presented an overview of the electricity situation in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province. "According to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources' 2024 Electricity Statistics, Bangka Belitung's total electricity production reached 1,347.42 GWh—a figure still considered low compared to other provinces on Sumatra Island," he noted.
Enggar outlined the challenges regarding national energy security. "Indonesia still relies on imports to meet a portion of its fuel and LPG needs, whereas the electricity sector offers significant opportunities for strengthening through the utilization of domestic energy sources, particularly new and renewable energy," he explained.
Furthermore, current power generation capacity in Bangka stands at approximately 78 MW, whereas regional electricity demand is estimated to reach 153.816 MW. This implies a supply deficit of around 56.758 MW, which has thus far been met through a grid interconnection with Palembang.
"The potential for new and renewable energy in Bangka Belitung is immense; if harnessed optimally, the region could not only meet its own electricity needs but also potentially generate an energy surplus, thereby driving industrial growth and investment," explained Enggar.
Meanwhile, Eko Sulistyo, M.T.—Deputy Director III of Polman Babel and one of the speakers—noted that electricity sector development requires synchronized policies among the government, PLN, and business players. "Certainty regarding electricity selling prices is a crucial factor in attracting private investment for the construction of renewable energy-based power plants," he added.
"Furthermore, strengthening domestic industry involvement in the development of the electricity sector should yield economic benefits that extend beyond business players; it must also positively impact the welfare of the people of Bangka Belitung," he concluded.
"As an active vocational higher education institution, we must make an academic contribution to the formulation of national strategic policies aimed at strengthening the substance of the Electricity Bill. This is essential to realizing a national energy system that is reliable, sustainable, and aligned with the interests of the public and regional development," he emphasized.
During the event, Muhammad Subhan, M.T., Deputy Director II of the Bangka Belitung State Manufacturing Polytechnic, received a memento directly from Bambang Patijaya, M.M., a member of Commission XII of the House of Representatives (DPR RI). "This gesture symbolizes the synergy established between the vocational education sector and the legislature in supporting the strengthening of the national electricity sector," concluded Eko Sulistyo.
