Nurinda's Strategic Initiatives to Meet Domestic Market Demand

Amid the rapid development of Indonesia's electrical infrastructure, demand for electrical equipment continues to grow. However, a significant portion of the equipment used in the country's electrical systems remains dependent on imported products, even though some of these products could be manufactured domestically.

One example is Jointing & Terminating equipment, which is widely used in electrical distribution networks. Jointing refers to cable connection components, while Terminating refers to cable termination components. Both are essential for medium-voltage electrical distribution systems.

Unfortunately, these products have traditionally been imported from overseas, despite increasing demand driven by the expansion of Indonesia's national electricity infrastructure.

Recognizing this opportunity, PT Nurinda, an established manufacturer of electrical panels, has expanded its product portfolio to include the manufacturing of Jointing & Terminating equipment.

This strategic initiative was announced by Suwardi Setiawan, President Director of PT Nurinda.

According to Suwardi, PT PLN (Persero) has been actively expanding its underground electrical cable networks. These infrastructure projects require substantial quantities of Jointing & Terminating equipment to connect and terminate electrical cables.

However, based on practical experience in the field, the market for Jointing & Terminating products has largely been dominated by international brands. Furthermore, these components have occasionally experienced technical failures during operation.

"As a domestic electrical equipment manufacturer, Nurinda recognizes the growing demand for Jointing & Terminating products and the limited presence of local manufacturers in this segment. In response to market demand, we are ready to begin manufacturing these products in 2023," Suwardi told Listrik Indonesia.

Manufacturing and Production Development

During the initial production phase, PT Nurinda focused on manufacturing Jointing & Terminating equipment for 20,000-volt (20 kV) medium-voltage electrical distribution networks.

At this stage, the products and their associated components achieved a Domestic Component Level (TKDN) of approximately 30%, with the company targeting 45% local content in subsequent production stages.

"Currently, several components still need to be imported, which is why our TKDN remains at approximately 30%. However, local suppliers have expressed their ability to manufacture these components, allowing us to target 45% domestic content in future production," Suwardi explained.

PT Nurinda has taken a comprehensive approach to developing these products. Beyond improving its manufacturing facilities in Cikupa, Banten, the company places significant emphasis on safety, cleanliness, and product quality.

"Because these products are installed underground, they must undergo load testing and strict cleanliness inspections. We must ensure that no dust enters the silicone material, as contamination could cause serious problems during operation. Jointing & Terminating equipment plays a critical role in electrical distribution systems," Suwardi explained.

The company was also progressing through the certification process to ensure its products met the required standards before entering the market.

"We are currently awaiting certification for these two products. We hope the certifications will be issued early in the year so that we can begin supplying PLN as soon as possible," he added.

One Stop Utility Service

Drawing on his experience in the electrical installation industry, Suwardi highlighted recurring technical problems involving Jointing & Terminating equipment, including incidents where cable connections have failed or exploded during operation.

According to him, two primary factors contribute to these failures: poor product quality and improper installation procedures.

To address these challenges, PLN has requested that suppliers of Jointing & Terminating products also take responsibility for their installation.

By integrating product supply and installation services under a single provider, responsibilities can be managed more effectively while potentially reducing overall project costs.

In response, PT Nurinda plans to expand its role beyond manufacturing by providing electrical installation and construction services.

The company is also preparing and training specialized technical personnel to ensure that installations are performed safely and in accordance with applicable technical requirements.

"We are taking steps to fulfill PLN's requirements. We are currently preparing and training our technical specialists. We refer to this initiative as our One Stop Utility Service, where customers receive integrated solutions from a single provider. This means that manufacturers will also be responsible for equipment replacement, upgrades, and maintenance," Suwardi emphasized.

Through this integrated service approach, PT Nurinda aims to minimize technical failures, improve installation quality, and strengthen its contribution to the reliability of Indonesia's electrical distribution infrastructure.

Hybrid Solar Power Systems: An Ideal Solution for Remote Areas

In addition to developing Jointing & Terminating products, PT Nurinda has introduced other innovative electrical solutions, including Hybrid Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems, also known as Hybrid Solar Power Plants (PLTS Hybrid).

A hybrid solar power system combines solar energy with other electricity sources, such as diesel generators, which are commonly used in remote areas with limited access to the national power grid.

According to Suwardi, hybrid solar technology is particularly suitable for meeting electricity demand in isolated regions.

A hybrid solar power system integrates multiple energy sources and utilizes battery storage to provide a more flexible and reliable electricity supply.

During the daytime, solar panels can generate electricity to meet local demand while simultaneously charging the battery storage system.

At night, the energy stored in the batteries can be used to supply electricity. When the battery capacity becomes insufficient, the system can automatically utilize alternative sources, such as PLN electricity or diesel generators.

This process enables efficient energy management by shifting electricity demand between available energy sources.

"The main advantage of our Hybrid Solar PV system lies in its inverter technology. When solar power and diesel generators operate simultaneously to meet local electricity demand, our inverter can automatically regulate the load without causing significant fluctuations in the electrical supply. This helps maintain the operational lifespan of the power sources," Suwardi explained.

PT Nurinda has been developing Hybrid Solar PV technology since 2009 and has accumulated experience implementing solar power projects in various regions of Indonesia.

Some of the company's notable projects include:

Bunaken Solar Power Plant, North Sulawesi: 335 kWp off-grid and 15 kWp on-grid capacity.

Makalehi Solar Power Plant, North Sulawesi: 260 kWp hybrid system.

Morotai Solar Power Plant, North Maluku: 600 kWp hybrid system.

These projects demonstrate PT Nurinda's experience in developing renewable energy systems for remote and island communities, where reliable electricity access remains essential for supporting local economic activities and community development.

By combining domestic electrical equipment manufacturing, integrated installation services, and renewable energy technologies, PT Nurinda continues to strengthen its capabilities in meeting Indonesia's growing demand for reliable and sustainable electrical infrastructure.