Bahlil Assures Coal Supply for PLN Is Secure, Power Disruptions Due to Technical Factors

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia has assured that coal availability for PT PLN (Persero) is secure. According to him, the electricity supply disruptions that occurred were more influenced by technical operational and distribution issues which are the responsibility of PLN. “I have asked PLN to immediately take measured, comprehensive steps to provide comfort for customers with no more blackouts,” said Minister Bahlil in an official statement received in Jakarta on Sunday (21/6). Bahlil stressed that the power outages were not caused by a lack of coal supply for power plants. The government, through the Directorate General of Minerals and Coal (Minerba), has anticipated PLN’s fuel needs by assigning national coal companies to guarantee availability. He explained that PLN’s coal requirement across Indonesia reaches approximately 154 million tonnes each year. To maintain supply adequacy, the government has set an assignment for national coal companies of 180 million to 190 million tonnes, a volume far exceeding PLN’s annual needs. “Technically, getting it to the power plant is not the task of the Director General of Minerba. That is already a technical matter of PLN’s logistics management,” he said. According to Bahlil, the problems that occurred are more related to technical operational and distribution aspects under PLN’s authority. He acknowledged having communicated directly with PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo so that handling is carried out as quickly as possible. In addition, Bahlil requested a thorough evaluation of the operational system and strengthened mitigation to prevent similar disruptions from recurring in the future. “I have spoken with the President Director. I said to immediately take measured steps so that undesirable things do not happen, including the blackouts complained about by the people. The one operating the electricity is not the Director General of Electricity, no. Not us. We handle the regulation while the one carrying out the activity is PLN,” he said. Bahlil again emphasised that the government has carried out its duties in the regulatory aspect and guaranteed energy availability. Therefore, resolving technical issues in the field is now the focus that must be immediately undertaken by PLN. “The government has been firm, it is just up to PLN to realise it immediately. Immediately resolve this technical problem, because all these technical problems are indeed the authority and control of PLN,” he stated. Previously, PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo revealed that the electricity system disruption occurred due to technical problems at two large-capacity power plants in Java owned and operated by PLN’s partners. “There were technical constraints at two large power plants in Java owned and operated by our partners, namely two independent power producers that experienced technical disruptions and were forced to exit the electricity system in Java,” he said. The disruption caused electricity supply to be disturbed, but the government confirmed that the condition was not related to coal availability. The current handling focus is directed at repairing the operational and distribution system so that electricity services to the public can resume optimally.