A plastid-encoded DNA-directed RNA polymerase complex that resembles eubacterial multisubunit RNA polymerases, with a core composed of alpha, beta, and beta-prime subunits. An additional subunit, a sigma factor, is required for promoter recognition. PEP-A is generated from the PEP-B form during chloroplast maturation to generate a complex composed of at least thirteen polypeptides that is not sensitive to the antibiotic rifampicin, like its precursor form the PEP-B complex.