Vice-Governor Surya supports construction of 217 PLN high-voltage pylons from Langkat to Medan
The Vice-Governor of North Sumatra (Sumut), Surya, supports the plan by the state energy company PLN to build 217 high-voltage pylons between the Langkat district and the city of Medan.
The project, which is part of the Sumatra Electricity Toll Road network, is expected to strengthen the reliability and security of the electricity supply in North Sumatra.
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Vice-Governor Surya expressed this support during an audience with the General Director of the PLN Development Main Department (UIP) for North Sumatra (Sumbagut), Rizki Aftarianto, and his staff, at his office in the office of the Governor of North Sumatra, Jalan Diponegoro No. 30, Medan, on Monday, June 22, 2026.
During the meeting, Surya received a report regarding the planned construction of a high-voltage power grid between the provinces of Aceh and North Sumatra. In North Sumatra, the power line will run through Pangkalansusu in the Langkat district and Helvetia in the city of Medan.
“If this reaches the provincial government of North Sumatra (administratively), it will hopefully be resolved quickly. What does need to be considered, however, is the land acquisition process,” stated Surya.
According to Surya, PLN must intensify communication with the relevant regional government agencies (OPD) regarding the recommendations and the permitting procedure. This way, the construction phase can proceed more quickly and smoothly.
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“We must also provide the coordinates of the high-voltage pylons, including the progress of the permitting procedure. This way, we can resolve any potential obstacles together,” said Surya.
He made this statement in the presence of Ardan Noor, Deputy Director of Economic Affairs and Development, Dedi Harahap, Head of the Agency for Industry, Trade, Energy and Mining, and Ady Putra Parlaungan, Head of the Executive Administration Office.
Furthermore, Surya reminded PLN to pay attention to communities that still do not have access to electricity, particularly those living near high-voltage power lines. He believes that this situation must be addressed to achieve equitable development. “I understand that calculations are needed to bring electricity to a single location. But alternatives are also needed so that residents living far from urban areas have access to electricity everywhere,” said Surya.
He also expressed his appreciation and support for the planned development of the transmission network.
Meanwhile, Rizki Aftarianto, General Manager of PT PLN (Persero) UIP Sumbagut, stated that his company will construct a transmission network from Sigli and North Aceh in Aceh Province to Langkat District and the city of Medan. The project is aimed at improving the reliability of the electricity supply on the east coast of North Sumatra.
“So, sir, how can we in North Sumatra avoid being affected if there are transmission failures in the south? Therefore, we ask for your support (from the provincial government of North Sumatra) to immediately obtain recommendations or permits for the construction of 217 masts, which we must complete within a short timeframe, as the President has ordered,” said Rizki.
To realize the project, PLN requires a site determination from the Provincial Government of North Sumatra. A total of 217 pylons will be erected with an estimated distance of approximately 400 meters between the 275 kV high-voltage lines (SUTET). Approximately 26 percent of the high-voltage lines are located in residential and urban areas, which presents a unique challenge for the execution.
“Therefore, we thank the Provincial Government of North Sumatra for their strong support. And in response, in addition to compensation for the land on which the pylons will be erected, we are also offering compensation (to the community) for damage to the high-voltage lines,” he said.
Regarding electricity needs in remote areas, Rizki stated that PLN has prepared an alternative in the form of solar panels for areas with relatively few homes. This measure has been taken because the construction of transmission networks entails significant costs, while the number of consumers is limited. ***rel
