Residents concerned about rotating blackouts<\/p>\n
Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
When it comes to business, nothing worries Wawan more than a
\npossible blackout.<\/p>\n
As the owner of a computer rental and Internet shop in Kebon
\nJeruk, West Jakarta, the 35-year-old could not conceal his relief
\nwhen state electricity firm PT PLN canceled its plan to shut down
\npower in Wawan's neighborhood on Tuesday evening.<\/p>\n
\"My shop was very busy with customers at that time. I can't
\nimagine what would have happened if they lost data they had just
\ntyped or copied due to the blackout. I know that PLN will still
\nshut down power to this area. The problem is we don't know when,\"
\nhe said on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Since last month, Wawan and most of his friends had endeavored
\nto save electricity between 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., as suggested by
\nPLN to consumers, to avoid possible rotating blackouts in Jakarta
\ndue to shortages of supply pending the repair of two of its
\nplants.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, the recent fuel shortage has forced PLN to
\nimplement rotating blackouts in at least six areas in Jakarta and
\nTangerang, including Penggilingan and Cipinang in East Jakarta,
\nPetukangan in South Jakarta and Kebon Jeruk.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday night PLN announced that it now had enough fuel for
\nits strategic plants.<\/p>\n
\"We residents have responded quickly to the national campaign
\nto save power. Now it's time for the government to make sure that
\nwe have enough power,\" Wawan demanded.<\/p>\n
Ella, 40, of Cililitan, East Jakarta, was more concerned about
\nrobberies and other crimes that have been on the increase in her
\nneighborhood.<\/p>\n
\"Imagine if this area was in total darkness. The criminals
\nwould love it. Remember, those robbers and thieves are getting
\nsmarter now,\" she told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Such concerns are growing as state oil and gas company PT
\nPertamina, which supplies fuel to PLN, could only assure adequate
\nfuel for several days ahead.<\/p>\n
PLN's head for the Java-Bali grid's distribution and control,
\nMade Rosakya, said that as of Wednesday, the company only had 220
\nMegawatts (MW) of buffer supply. It was far below the standard
\n645 MW required to avoid blackouts.<\/p>\n
Currently, Java and Bali require 14,475 MW of power during
\npeak hours, and as of now we only have 14,695 MW. However, he
\nsaid, PLN needs at least 645 MW of buffer supply to safeguard
\nagainst possible failure.<\/p>\n
\"But there would be no blackouts at least until Monday as we
\nstill have enough supply to operate the power plants. Beyond that
\ntime, we can't guarantee anything as it depends on fuel supplies
\nfrom Pertamina,\" he told the Post on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\"We review our fuel stocks and our ability to supply power on
\na daily basis. So, we will announce at least a day before if we
\nhave to implement rotating blackouts. If we receive fuel on time
\nthen there will be no problems,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Made expressed his hope that all residents would continue to
\nreduce their electricity usage.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/residents-concerned-about-rotating-blackouts-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}