Public Lecture on Electricity by Dr.Ir. Herry Winarno

Saturday, April 30, 2011, the Electrical Power Engineering Study Program held a Public Lecture on Electrical Power with the topic "Optimizing Opportunities in the Construction Services Industry to Face a Better Future". The Public Lecture, held in the Auditorium of the East Campus Center of ITB, was delivered by Dr. Ir. Herry Winarno, President Director of PT Meta Epsi Engineering.

He explained that construction investment is the accumulation of fixed capital investment that is vital for the resilience of a nation because it is an economic investment for the future of a country. Construction investment can be used as an important tool of public policy, for example in terms of spurring growth and providing jobs that are vital for the resilience of a nation because it is an economic investment for the future of a country. The growth of construction services in Indonesia is currently averaging above 5.5% and absorbing US$ 60 billion, which is 10% of GDP.

The Indonesian construction services industry is projected to grow to 7.2% between 2011 and 2015. The government is also trying to attract private investors to the infrastructure sector by providing investment facilitation facilities and increasing the number of public-private partnerships (PPPs). Other measures the government is taking include:
1. Establish an Indonesian Infrastructure Fund that can provide alternative financing for infrastructure projects.
2. Develop regulatory improvements to facilitate land acquisition, which is a major obstacle to investment.
3. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Indonesia is an important market for the construction services industry.

Every year, Indonesia requires significant investment in new power plants, transmission, and distribution to meet the growing electricity needs of the public and industry. Therefore, new investment is also needed in the transportation sector, which is currently experiencing significant growth, particularly in the construction of toll roads, railways, seaports, and airports. Property development, including housing, apartments, and offices, also contributes significantly to the construction services sector. Furthermore, Indonesia's tourism sector continues to grow, although it is still limited to a few tourist destinations, such as Bali, Lombok, and Solo.

challenge facing the Indonesian construction industry lies in the cost of materials. High material prices, such as cement, a crucial component, are twice as expensive as in China. Material price inflation is also higher than in neighboring countries. Low investor perception of the infrastructure business environment in Indonesia is also a challenge, with the current perception score at 54.6 out of 100, while the project finance rating is 35.8 out of 100.

The challenges faced in the electricity sector relate to very low electricity efficiency. Furthermore, the high consumption of fuel oil, which burdens the economy, must be reduced. Therefore, it is necessary to build non-fuel power plants and other solutions, such as nuclear power for large-scale projects. The current electrification ratio is still low at only 65%, with 76% of power plants centralized in Java. Considering primary energy sources, the electricity potential in Sumatra is significant.

Where can graduates contribute to the construction services industry? According to Law No. 18/1999, construction services consist of consultants, implementers, and supervisors, with the requirement that construction service providers employ experts with expertise and certification from the Indonesian Engineers Association (PII). This is where graduates can contribute, encompassing architectural, civil, mechanical, electrical, and environmental design work.

Penulis: Pingkan Andrea Logahan, Muhammad Ikhsan, Marsya Febrina