Department of Cooperatives final report : contract AID/ASIA-C-1357, AID loan no. 497-T-052

A total of 2,171 km of distribution line serving 190 towns and villages were staked for the project (vs. feasibility study targets of 1,650 and 205). In order to familiarize the target population with the benefits of rural electrification and gain their confidence in rural electric cooperatives (REC"s), pilot projects were initiated first in all three areas using reconditioned 100 kw U.S. Government surplus generators. The Lombok pilot project was completed in 10/80 and served 2,000 consumers; that at Luwu was completed in 9/81 and served 380 (through secondary lines only); and the pilot system at Lampung was energized in 7/81 and served 800 consumers. Construction of the main systems followed; while the Lombok system is 98% complete, the Luwu system is only 25% complete and work has not even begun at Lampung, mainly due to an inadequate supply of treated wood support poles. However, pilot projects at Lampung are now financially self-sufficient and serve 4,000 people. REC"s installed housewiring in all service areas at a rate based on family ability to pay; a loan program enabled consumers to spread payment over 6 months. Construction of administrative and operations headquarters - consisting of an administration building, a warehouse, and open areas for transformer, conductor, and pole storage, all surrounded by fencing with guard facilities - was completed in all service areas by 5/84. The planned training of electrical engineers and draftsmen did not occur, but the project did provide on-the-job training to draftsmen as well as formal classroom training in maintenance, inspection, and preparation of staking sheets and "as-builts." Continued progress toward the electrification of these areas will require the immediate negotiation of further contracts or purchase orders for raw wood poles to be treated and used in Lampung and Luwu, satisfaction of Lombok"s remaining need for treated poles, and procurement of minor items not purchased in sufficient quantity using the revolving funds for housewiring.