Analyst: Sumatra Blackout Highlights Need to Strengthen Transmission Network

The Sumatra blackout must act as a wake-up call to strengthen the transmission network. Public policy analyst Agus Pambagio said the Sumatra blackout underscores the importance of reinforcing the transmission network to ensure electricity supply in the region. He noted that Sumatra’s cross-province interconnected network requires reliable transmission to prevent outages from spreading across regions. ‘Power generation often receives the most attention, but transmission plays a vital role as the main conduit for electricity in the interconnected system,’ he stated in Jakarta on Thursday. He said the development of Sumatra’s transmission network, including the construction of 500-kilovolt Extra High Voltage Transmission Lines (SUTET), has been included in the latest Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL) to strengthen Sumatra’s electricity interconnection. Transmission construction, he added, is not merely a technical issue but involves land acquisition, spatial planning adjustments, cross-regional permits, and community engagement along transmission routes—all requiring time and coordination. Agus added that as Sumatra’s interconnected system expands, strengthening main routes and ensuring reliable cross-regional electricity transmission becomes increasingly critical. However, he noted that delays in transmission construction heighten system failure risks as electricity demand in Sumatra grows. He also stated that in strategic infrastructure projects, social aspects must be carefully addressed to prevent agrarian conflicts or long-term issues. Therefore, he stressed the importance of community support in land acquisition to ensure optimal public electricity supply projects. Additionally, he urged stronger coordination and faster cross-regional permit processes to make strategic projects more effective. ‘As transmission routes span multiple regions, construction requires collaboration between central and local governments, project implementers, and communities,’ he said. He added that accelerating transmission construction is crucial for Sumatra’s power system to withstand future disruptions. ‘The Sumatra blackout must serve as a shared opportunity to accelerate transmission network reinforcement. Without speeding up construction, system failure risks will continue to rise alongside growing electricity demand and economic activity in Sumatra,’ he said.