[Unofficial Bahasa-to-English translation by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]

"SUTT Tower from Coal-firing power plant (PLTU) Bengkulu relocated; would there be next victim?" 4 August 2022

High Voltage Overhead Lines (Saluran Udara Tegangan Tinggi/SUTT) operated by PT. Tenaga Listrik Bengkulu (PT. TLB) for its Coal-firing power plant/PLTU Teluk Sepang transmission, in Babatan village, Seluma district, Bengkulu; was relocated since Sunday 24 July 2022. There were 3 SUTT tower planned to be relocated, and per 3rd August there is one tower left.

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Electricity transmitted from PLTU Teluk Sepang flowed through SUTT tower to Air Sebakul substation. There are 77 SUTT tower and 23,2 kilometres cables to support the transmission, according to Environmental Impact Assessment (Andal) documents submitted by PT. TLB.

Kanopi Hijau Indonesia in 2021 found PT TLB negligence on SUTT installment; there was no shared information on SUTT health, safety & environment impact towards Babatan villagers whom live adjacent to PLTU Teluk Sepang project and 150 kVa energy transmission.

On trial phase, one Babatan villager (women) was electrocuted while using her egrek knives (with metal materials) and flung away about 5 metres and fainted. Later her husband, Juanto used voltage tester (tespen) towards the knives and galvanized roof on their house. Turns out, those materials are containing electricity; allegedly sourced from SUTT which stood just near their resident.

Babatan villagers, together with Kanopi Hijau Indonesia teams also founded residents area near SUTT tower installment have to endure rising temperature in their home, broken electronic appliances, and noise pollution from the tower.

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Juanto reported this incident to PT TLB, Bengkulu police; and got no answer. Then together with Kanopi Hijau, Juanto urged PT TLB to move SUTT tower.

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