Bahlil Assures Coal Supply for PLN Is Secure, Power Disruptions Due to Technical Factors
The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, has ensured that the availability of coal for PT PLN (Persero) is in a secure condition. According to him, the recent disruptions to the electricity supply were primarily influenced by technical operational and distribution issues, which fall under the responsibility of PLN.
“I have requested PLN to immediately implement measured and comprehensive steps to ensure customer comfort and to prevent any further blackouts,” stated Minister Bahlil in an official statement received in Jakarta on Sunday.
Bahlil emphasised that the power outages were not caused by a lack of coal supply for power plants. Through the Directorate General of Mineral and Coal (Minerba), the government has anticipated PLN’s fuel requirements by assigning national coal companies to guarantee availability.
He explained that PLN’s coal requirement across Indonesia reaches approximately 154 million tonnes annually. To maintain sufficient supply, the government has assigned national coal companies to provide between 180 million and 190 million tonnes, a figure that significantly exceeds PLN’s annual needs.
“Technically, ensuring it reaches the power plants is not the duty of the Director General of Minerba. That is a matter of PLN’s logistics management,” he said.
According to Bahlil, the current issues are more closely related to technical operational and distribution aspects within PLN’s authority. He stated that he has communicated directly with the President Director of PLN, Darmawan Prasodjo, to ensure the matter is handled as swiftly as possible. Furthermore, Bahlil called for a thorough evaluation of the operational system and the strengthening of mitigation efforts to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
“I have spoken with the President Director. I told him to immediately take measured steps so that undesirable events, including the blackouts complained about by the public, do not occur. We provide the regulation, while PLN carries out the operations,” he added.
Bahlil reiterated that the government has fulfilled its duties regarding regulation and energy availability. Therefore, resolving the technical issues on the ground is now the primary focus for PLN.
Previously, the President Director of PLN, Darmawan Prasodjo, revealed that the electricity system disruption occurred due to technical problems at two large-capacity power plants on Java Island, which are owned and operated by PLN’s partners.
“There were technical constraints at two large plants on Java Island owned and operated by our partners; specifically, two Independent Power Producer (IPP) plants experienced technical failures and were forced to exit the Java electricity system,” he said.
While the disruption affected the power supply, the government has ensured that the situation is unrelated to coal availability. Current efforts are focused on repairing the operational and distribution systems to ensure electricity services to the public can return to optimal levels.