The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) distributed 342,621 free electric rice cookers throughout 2023. This achievement only fulfills 68.5% of the 2023 State Budget (APBN) target of 500,000 rice cookers for households.
The distribution of free rice cookers was highest in Java and Bali, with 192,890 units or 56.30% of the total distributed.
"The distribution of rice cookers was highest in Java and Bali because it concerns electricity readiness due to high demand; one unit consumes 300-350 watts," said Director General of Electricity at the Ministry of ESDM, Jisman P Hutajulu, in an online press conference on Thursday (18/1/2024).
Sumatra was second highest with 61,040 free rice cookers distributed last year. This was followed by Sulawesi with 36,648 units and Kalimantan with 35,307 units.
Other islands, such as Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, and Papua, received less than 3% of the total distribution.
Jisman stated that the free rice cooker distribution is part of a clean cooking program aimed at increasing per capita kilowatt-hour (kWh) electricity consumption and reducing LPG imports.
"We hope that by the end of January, the distribution of free rice cookers will be completed and received by our designated recipients," he said.